Project brief
Backslash gives private teams a way to write and preview LaTeX documents without surrendering their workflow to a closed platform. It combines a browser-based editor, live PDF preview, and a self-hosted Docker deployment with an API layer for teams that need programmatic access to the compilation pipeline.
Problem
Most online LaTeX tooling is closed, hard to extend, and uncomfortable for teams requiring private infrastructure. Overleaf is the dominant tool but offers no self-hosted option, and most alternatives sacrifice either preview quality or deployment flexibility.
Solution
Backslash pairs a browser editor with a compilation and preview engine that runs entirely on self-managed infrastructure. The API-first design allows external tools to submit documents and receive compiled output, making it useful beyond the in-browser editing experience.
Role
Full product ownership across UX design, preview engine integration, REST API design, Docker deployment packaging, and the open-source release. The entire product was designed, built, and shipped as a solo effort.
Challenge
Reliable LaTeX compilation inside a self-hosted product requires handling dependency management, error propagation, and compiler state without leaning on external infrastructure. Keeping the editor state responsive while awaiting compilation output was the main UX challenge.