Notice: This resource is specifically curated for students in the Computer Science Department at the ULB Faculty of Sciences. Joël Goossens

Introduction to Typst

If you have ever struggled with the complexities of LaTeX, Typst is designed for you. It is a modern, markup-based typesetting system that acts as a powerful successor to LaTeX, built specifically for the next generation of scientific writing.

Why switch to Typst?

• Markdown-like Syntax: No more endless \begin{...} and \end{...} blocks. Typst uses a clean, intuitive syntax that feels like writing Markdown but offers the precision of professional typesetting.
• Instant Compilation: Typst is written in Rust and features an incremental compiler. You see your changes in the preview instantly as you type.
• Logical Scripting: Unlike the macro-heavy nature of TeX, Typst includes a real programming language for styling and automation, making it much more predictable for CS students.

Working locally with VS Code

While you can use the Typst Web App, many CS students prefer a local environment. We recommend using Visual Studio Code with the Tinymist extension for the best experience.

Master's Thesis Template

To help you get started with your pre-thesis work, or your final Master's graduation thesis, we have prepared a dedicated template that follows ULB's standard formatting.

👉 Access the ULB Typst Thesis Template here

How to use it:

• Online: Import the template directly into your Typst web account.
• Locally: download the files, open the folder in VS Code, and start editing.