[Tex/LaTex] How to create a LaTeX package

Question

I would like to jump into the cold waters of LaTeX package creation, mostly for procrastination reasons…but I haven't a clue how to start. For example, a previous question of mine got some nice answers. I would like to take one of these answers and create a package from it.

• How do I start?
• If others find it useful, how should I document it?
• How do I publish it?

Perhaps I should say, I do not want anyone to do the work for me…I would much prefer an explanation on how I could do it myself!

Answer 1

These are three related but different questions. We have already got some good answers on this site. So perhaps let's take this place to summarize it.

This answer is community wiki, so feel free to edit it. Of course you can add more information than site links.

Starting package writing

• Where do I start LaTeX programming?
• Classes and packages – what's the difference?
• Make your own .sty files
• Style/class tutorials
• Reference guide to begin writing a class and/or a package

Documenting packages

• How do I document my style files?
• Packages for documenting self written packages (sty-files)
• What is the gold standard of package documentation?
• How to document a expl3 macro using dtx
• dtxtut.pdf "How to Package Your LaTeX Package"
• Joseph Wright's blog post "A model .dtx file"

Publishing packages

• How does one publish/promote a new package?
• How can I contribute to CTAN?
• What is good practice when preparing a package for CTAN?
• How to upload my packages or document classes to CTAN?
• CLI tool to upload to CTAN