lualatex

LuaLaTeX is a TeX-based typesetting system that combines the LaTeX macro layer with the LuaTeX engine. It embeds the Lua scripting language into the TeX pipeline, enabling programmable text processing and extended customization while preserving LaTeX’s macro system.

As an engine supported by TeX Live and MiKTeX, LuaLaTeX is invoked by running lualatex on a source document. It provides native Unicode input support and enhanced font handling through the fontspec package, which allows easy use of OpenType and TrueType fonts installed on the host system. This makes it well suited to documents requiring advanced typography, non-Latin scripts, or custom fonts.

LuaTeX incorporates an embedded Lua interpreter, enabling users to run Lua code for tasks such as data processing, automated content generation, or on-the-fly manipulation of the document during compilation. The package ecosystem around LuaLaTeX includes font loading and feature control via luaotfload and fontspec, along with Lua integration through luatexbase. Multilingual typesetting is supported via packages like polyglossia or babel.

Compared with pdfTeX, LuaLaTeX generally offers more flexible font support and programmability, while XeLaTeX emphasizes broad Unicode and font support through the XeTeX engine. Both LuaLaTeX and XeLaTeX work well with modern OpenType fonts, and the choice often depends on user needs for scripting capabilities, package compatibility, and performance.

LuaLaTeX originated as an extension of TeX that integrates Lua into the typesetting workflow. It is widely distributed with TeX Live and MiKTeX and has a mature ecosystem of packages for font loading, multilingual typesetting, and customized automation.