FAQ
Common questions about Polemic.
Do I need an account?
No. Polemic is a desktop app. Your projects are folders on your disk.
Does Polemic work offline?
Yes. Compiling, previewing, snapshots and git all run locally. Only the features you turn on talk to the network: the CTAN package list, Zotero web, and the AI quickfix with a remote provider.
Can I use my existing LaTeX projects?
Yes. Open the folder. Polemic adds a build/ folder for output and a .polemic/
folder for comments and asset tags; add both to your .gitignore if you like.
Can I collaborate in real time, like Overleaf?
Not in real time. Polemic is local-first: share the project through git, or any folder sync you already use, and leave review notes with comments.
Which TeX engines are supported?
pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX and LuaLaTeX, all through latexmk. Pick the engine per
project in Document settings, or leave it on Automatic.
Is it free?
Yes. Polemic is open source under the MIT license.