What it fixes
Vim's . key repeats the last change. Without vim-repeat, plugin mappings (like those from vim-surround or vim-commentary) are not repeatable — . either does nothing or repeats only the last native edit.
With vim-repeat installed, those mappings register themselves properly and . works as expected.
Examples
With vim-surround
ysiw" → wrap word in quotes
. → wrap the next word in quotes tooWith vim-commentary
gcc → comment out a line
j. → move down, comment out that line tooNo configuration needed
vim-repeat has no commands or mappings of its own. It works automatically as long as it is loaded before the plugins it supports.
Which plugins benefit
Any plugin that calls repeat#set() in its mappings. In this setup:
- vim-surround
- vim-commentary
- vim-unimpaired (if added later)
- vim-speeddating (if added later)