How to add a local package to the package list?

[tkansgar]

Hi all,
I want to add the package tikz-uml to the package list of MiKTex. I downloaded the package from https://perso.ensta.fr/~kielbasi/tikzuml/index.php?lang=en, created a local package repository directory C:\Users<MYUSERNAME>\Local_texmf, created subdirectories doc\latex\tikz-uml and tex\latex\tikz-uml there and put the content of the tbz downloaded there (according to https://golatex.de/installationschwierigkeiten-externes-paket-tikz-uml-t19034.html). I was also able to add that directory to the list of repositories in MiKTex (sorry, my screenshots are in German, hoping they are understandable nevertheless):

Then I searched the list of packages in MiKTex for the package tikz-uml and failed. It is still not listed there:

So I tried to select my directory Local_texmf as local repository and got this error message:

What did I wrong? Can someone please help?
BR,
tkansgar

[shreyanshjain1]

I think the main issue is that you’re mixing up two different things:

1. a local TEXMF tree
2. a MiKTeX package repository

What you created under

C:\Users\<MYUSERNAME>\Local_texmf

with folders like

tex\latex\tikz-uml
doc\latex\tikz-uml

looks like a local TEXMF tree, not a MiKTeX package repository.

So in that setup, I would not expect tikz-uml to suddenly appear in the MiKTeX package list as if it were an official package from a package repository.

The package manager list is for MiKTeX packages/repositories, while a local TEXMF tree is just a place where TeX can find files directly.

So I’d try this instead:

• keep Local_texmf as a TEXMF root
• make sure the package files are in the correct subfolders
• refresh the MiKTeX filename database / FNDB
• then test whether TeX can find the package when compiling

For example, the real test is not “does it show in the package list?”, but more like:

• can MiKTeX find tikz-uml.sty
• does a document using \usepackage{tikz-uml} compile

So my guess is:
the error happens because MiKTeX expects a repository structure when you choose a local repository, but your folder is just a TEXMF tree.

In short:

• local TEXMF tree = for manually installed files
• local repository = for MiKTeX package management

Those are not the same thing.

So I think your installation path may still be usable, but the expectation that it should appear in the package list is probly the part that’s off.