matlab-live-script: Document backslash escaping behavior after executeAndSave

[yanndebray]

Summary

The matlab-live-script skill documentation should clarify that matlab.internal.liveeditor.executeAndSave() escapes backslashes in LaTeX equations, which can cause confusion when debugging or inspecting the plain text file.

Problem Description

When creating a Live Script with LaTeX equations following the skill's guidance to use single backslashes:

%[text] $$e^{at} \longrightarrow \frac{1}{s-a}$${"altText":"Laplace transform"}

After running matlab.internal.liveeditor.executeAndSave('myScript.m'), the file contains:

%[text] $$e^{at} \\longrightarrow \\frac{1}{s-a}$${"altText":"Laplace transform"}

This doubled backslash behavior is expected (MATLAB escapes backslashes for internal storage), but it's not documented in the skill. This leads to:

1. Confusion when inspecting the plain text file after execution
2. Attempted "fixes" that break the equations
3. Uncertainty about whether equations will render correctly

Observed Side Effects

In some cases, executeAndSave also escapes brackets in %[text] markup:

%\[text] ---    % Should be %[text] ---

This appears to be a MATLAB bug but should be noted as a known issue.

Suggested Documentation Updates

1. Add note to Step 6 (Execute and Save)

**Important Note on Backslash Escaping:**
After `executeAndSave` runs, backslashes in LaTeX equations will appear 
doubled in the plain text file (e.g., `\frac` becomes `\\frac`). This is 
**expected behavior** - MATLAB escapes backslashes for internal storage. 
The Live Editor will correctly un-escape and render them. Do NOT manually 
"fix" the doubled backslashes if editing the file as plain text after execution.

2. Add to DON'T section

- Don't use unsupported LaTeX commands like `\xrightarrow` - use simpler 
  alternatives like `\longrightarrow`

3. Consider adding a "Known Issues" section

Document the bracket escaping bug and any other quirks discovered.

Environment

• MATLAB R2025b
• Plain text Live Script format (.m)

Related

This was discovered while creating a 3Blue1Brown-style Laplace transform visualization tutorial as a Live Script.

[yanndebray]

Update: Correct Equation Format Discovered

After further investigation, I found the correct format for LaTeX equations in plain text Live Scripts. The skill documentation needs to be updated with these findings:

Display Equations (Block)

The correct format uses $\\\[...\\\]$ with \n newlines and double backslashes for LaTeX commands:

%[text] $\\\[\n\\frac{1}{s-a}\n\\\]\n$

This renders as a centered display equation.

Full example with integral:

%[text] $\\\[\n\\mathcal{L}\\{e^{at}\\} = \\int_{0}^{\\infty} e^{-st} e^{at}\\, dt = \\frac{1}{s-a}, \\quad \\Re(s) \> a\n\\\]\n$

Inline Equations

For inline equations, use $...$ with {"editStyle":"visual"}:

%[text] The pole $a${"editStyle":"visual"} determines where the function diverges.
%[text] The s-plane shows where $s = \\sigma + j\\omega${"editStyle":"visual"}.

Key Corrections to Skill Documentation

What the skill says	What actually works
$$equation$$	$\\\[\nequation\n\\\]\n$
Single backslash \frac	Double backslash \\frac
No attribute needed	{"editStyle":"visual"} for inline

Summary of Correct Syntax

1. Display equations: $\\\[\n...\\command{}...\n\\\]\n$
2. Inline equations: $...\\command{}...${"editStyle":"visual"}
3. All LaTeX commands use double backslashes: \\frac, \\int, \\mathcal, \\sigma, etc.
4. Special characters need escaping: \> for >

This was verified against a working manually-created example and tested in MATLAB R2025b.

[nothans]

Thanks for filing the issue. I made some adjustments to the skill for LaTeX. Can you try the new version of the skill and confirm?

https://github.com/matlab/skills/tree/11-matlab-live-script-document-backslash-escaping-behavior-after-executeandsave/skills/matlab-live-script