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(emacs)Repetition

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Repeating Minibuffer Commands
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   Every command that uses the minibuffer at least once is recorded on a
special history list, together with the values of its arguments, so that
you can repeat the entire command.  In particular, every use of `M-x'
is recorded there, since `M-x' uses the minibuffer to read the command
name.

`C-x <ESC> <ESC>'
     Re-execute a recent minibuffer command (`repeat-complex-command').

`M-x list-command-history'
     Display the entire command history, showing all the commands `C-x
     <ESC> <ESC>' can repeat, most recent first.

   `C-x <ESC> <ESC>' is used to re-execute a recent minibuffer-using
command.  With no argument, it repeats the last such command.  A
numeric argument specifies which command to repeat; one means the last
one, and larger numbers specify earlier ones.

   `C-x <ESC> <ESC>' works by turning the previous command into a Lisp
expression and then entering a minibuffer initialized with the text for
that expression.  If you type just <RET>, the command is repeated as
before.  You can also change the command by editing the Lisp
expression.  Whatever expression you finally submit is what will be
executed.  The repeated command is added to the front of the command
history unless it is identical to the most recently executed command
already there.

   Even if you don't understand Lisp syntax, it will probably be obvious
which command is displayed for repetition.  If you do not change the
text, it will repeat exactly as before.

   Once inside the minibuffer for `C-x <ESC> <ESC>', you can use the
minibuffer history commands (`M-p', `M-n', `M-r', `M-s'; Note:
Minibuffer History) to move through the history list of saved entire
commands.  After finding the desired previous command, you can edit its
expression as usual and then resubmit it by typing <RET> as usual.

   The list of previous minibuffer-using commands is stored as a Lisp
list in the variable `command-history'.  Each element is a Lisp
expression which describes one command and its arguments.  Lisp programs
can re-execute a command by calling `eval' with the `command-history'
element.