---
name: "arara"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "texlive-doc"
version: "2026.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/arara"
---

# arara(1)

a TeX automation tool based on rules and directives.

## NAME

arara - a TeX automation tool based on rules and directives.

## SYNOPSIS

**arara** \[*options*\] *documents*...

## DESCRIPTION

**arara** is a TeX automation tool based on rules and directives. It gives you a way to enhance your TeX experience. The tool is an effort to provide a concise way to automate the daily TeX workflow for users and also package writers. Users might write their own rules when the provided ones do not suffice.

arara takes a list of documents as input. They will be processed according to their directives. Options apply to the execution of all documents.

## OPTIONS

- **--log**

  Generate a log output.

- **--verbose**

  Print or suppress command output.

- **--dry-run**

  Go through all the motions of running a command but with no actual calls.

- **--safe-run**

  Run in safe mode and disable potentially harmful features.

- **--whole-file**

  Extract directives in the file, not only in the header.

- **--preamble**

  Set the file preamble as named based on the configuration file.

- **--timeout**

  Sets an execution timeout for spawned processes.

- **--language**

  Set the localization to the language specified by code.

- **--max-loops**

  Set the number \> 0 of loops for looping directives.

- **--working-directory**

  Set the working directory for the whole execution.

- **--call-property**

  Pass a property as `key=value` parameter into the application to be used within the session.

- **--properties-file**

  Pass a properties file to the application to be used within the session.

- **--generate-completion**

  Generate a completion script for arara.

- **--version**

  Show the version and exit.

- **--help**

  Show a help message and exit.

## BUGS

Issue tracker at ⟨https://gitlab.com/islandoftex/arara/-/issues⟩.