Markdown to PDF

Convert markdown to PDF using pandoc with xelatex. Produces clean sans-serif output with syntax-highlighted code blocks.

Prerequisites

• pandoc (brew install pandoc)

• basictex (brew install --cask basictex)

• LaTeX packages: sudo tlmgr install fontspec unicode-math selnolig upquote microtype parskip xurl bookmark fancyvrb csquotes framed

Command

pandoc INPUT.md -o OUTPUT.pdf
--resource-path=DIRECTORY_CONTAINING_IMAGES
--pdf-engine=xelatex
-V mainfont="Helvetica Neue"
-V monofont="Menlo"
-V fontsize=11pt
-V geometry:margin=1in
-V colorlinks=true
-V linkcolor=NavyBlue
-V urlcolor=NavyBlue
--syntax-highlighting=tango

Usage Notes

• --resource-path must point to the directory containing any images referenced in the markdown (relative paths). Usually the directory the markdown file lives in.

• On macOS, Helvetica Neue and Menlo are always available. On Linux, substitute with DejaVu Sans / DejaVu Sans Mono . On Windows, Segoe UI / Cascadia Code .

• For long code blocks that overflow, add -V geometry:margin=0.75in to give more horizontal room.

• The tango syntax highlighting theme works well with light backgrounds. Other options: kate , monochrome , espresso , haddock , zenburn .