Runtime compiler not using xelatex using `vimtex_compiler_latexmk`? about vimtex

[psr-ai]

I am sorry, my pdf file was missing the vimtex-tex-program directive at the top, adding the following to the top of my pdf file worked:

% !TeX program = xelatex

...

[lervag]

I am using the following configuration for vimtex plugin to use xelatex:

vim.g.vimtex_compiler_latexmk = {
  executable = 'latexmk',
  options = {
    '-xelatex',  -- Specifies the use of XeLaTeX
    '-file-line-error',
    '-synctex=1',
    '-interaction=nonstopmode',
  },
}

That's NOT the right way to configure VimTeX to use xelatex. I understand that this is not obvious, but it is explained in the docs:

• :help g:vimtex_compiler_latexmk - see the "Note!" for the options key:

  options ~
    This is a list of options that are passed to `latexmk`. The default
    options should work well for most people.
  
    Note: Options like `-pdf` or `-lualatex` should NOT be added to this list.
          These are options used to specify the LaTeX processor/engine, see
          instead |g:vimtex_compiler_latexmk_engines|.
  

• :help vimtex-tex-program

And my overall configuration looks like following: …

• Unless you are loading your plugins manually, instead of using a plugin manager, you don't need to do the filetype plugin indent on and syntax enable, so you can most likely remove those lines.
• You don't need to change g:vimtex_compiler_latexmk (the only change you are doing is not a valid change).
• Notice that maplocalleader is not specific to VimTeX - it may impact other plugins as well.

When I start the live compilation (using ,, in command mode)

Did you mean ,ll?

If I set the default compiler as follows:

vim.g.vimtex_compiler_latexmk_engines = {
  _ = '-xelatex',
  xelatex = '-xelatex',
  lualatex = '-lualatex',
}

I am able to use the xelatex. What am I doing wrong?

Well, the latter approach is what you are supposed to do. Notice, though, that you don't need to include keys you are not changing, so you can simplify it to:

vim.g.vimtex_compiler_latexmk_engines = { _ = '-xelatex' }

I am sorry, my pdf file was missing the vimtex-tex-program directive at the top, adding the following to the top of my pdf file worked:

% !TeX program = xelatex

Notice that this is a different approach for changing the compiler engine. I personally prefer using this approach, because it is also recognized by other editors. So, as a sensible solution, I think you should simplify your config to something like the following and then use the tex program directive for specifying the engine:

vim.g.vimtex_view_method = 'skim'
vim.g.vimtex_view_skim_sync = 1
vim.g.vimtex_view_skim_activate = 1

-- NB! I would move this to wherever you are specifying your general neovim
--     options. Just make sure it is defined before you load plugins.
--     See :help maplocalleader for more info.
vim.g.maplocalleader = ','