Docker Container for Org-Teaching Framework: Simplifying Org-Mode Exports

For educators and researchers using Emacs Org-mode, the power of document generation is often overshadowed by the complexity of the environment setup. Exporting Org files to high-quality PDF (via LaTeX) or complex HTML usually requires a massive stack of dependencies, including TeX Live, specialized fonts, and various Emacs packages.

To solve this, we have integrated a dedicated Docker container into the org-teaching framework, specifically designed to streamline the export process and ensure environment consistency across different machines.

The Problem: Dependency Hell

Traditionally, if a teacher wanted to share an Org-mode based course framework with colleagues, every user had to manually mirror a complex local setup. One missing LaTeX package could break the entire export process, leading to hours of troubleshooting instead of teaching.

The Solution: A Portable Export Environment

By using a Docker-based approach, we encapsulate the entire “teaching-to-output” pipeline. This container comes pre-configured with:

• Emacs: Optimized for batch-mode processing.
• TeX Live: A complete set of packages for academic PDF exports.
• Org-Teaching Framework: Pre-installed scripts to handle course structures, slides, and handouts.

How it Works in the Org-Teaching Framework

The integration allows users to run exports without having Emacs or LaTeX installed on their host system. The workflow is simple:

1. You prepare your course materials in .org files.
2. You trigger the export command via the framework.
3. The framework spins up the Docker container, mounts your local directory, and produces the final PDF/HTML output.

Benefits for the Academic Community

• Consistency: The output is identical whether you are on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
• Efficiency: No more “it works on my machine” issues when collaborating on course materials.
• Clean Systems: Keep your primary OS lean by offloading the heavy LaTeX/Emacs stack to a container.

Technical Setup

While the org-teaching framework continues to evolve, the use of Docker for Org-mode exports remains the most reliable method for maintaining legacy course materials. If you are using modern versions of Ubuntu or Fedora, ensure your Docker daemon is running and simply pull the latest image to stay compatible with the newest Org-mode syntax.