diff --git a/layers/+lang/clojure/packages.el b/layers/+lang/clojure/packages.el
index 12d65a1ea6bd..2f1a6b1b12c3 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/clojure/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/clojure/packages.el
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
     :defer t
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'cider 'cider-jack-in "cider")
       (setq cider-stacktrace-default-filters '(tooling dup)
             cider-repl-pop-to-buffer-on-connect nil
             cider-prompt-save-file-on-load nil
@@ -226,6 +227,7 @@ If called with a prefix argument, uses the other-window instead."
           "gg" 'cider-find-var
           "gr" 'cider-jump-to-resource
 
+          "'"  'cider-jack-in
           "sb" 'cider-load-buffer
           "sB" 'spacemacs/cider-send-buffer-in-repl-and-focus
           "sc" 'cider-connect
diff --git a/layers/+lang/common-lisp/packages.el b/layers/+lang/common-lisp/packages.el
index 0c0d67700e46..94214fa53aff 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/common-lisp/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/common-lisp/packages.el
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
     :commands slime-mode
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'slime 'slime)
       (setq slime-contribs '(slime-fancy
                              slime-indentation
                              slime-sbcl-exts
@@ -46,6 +47,8 @@
 
       ;; TODO: Add bindings for the SLIME debugger?
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'lisp-mode
+        "'" 'slime
+
         "cc" 'slime-compile-file
         "cC" 'slime-compile-and-load-file
         "cl" 'slime-load-file
diff --git a/layers/+lang/elixir/packages.el b/layers/+lang/elixir/packages.el
index 700957ca45f4..847087470efb 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/elixir/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/elixir/packages.el
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
     :defer t
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'alchemist 'alchemist-iex-run "alchemist")
       (add-hook 'elixir-mode-hook 'alchemist-mode)
       (setq alchemist-project-compile-when-needed t)
       (push 'alchemist-company company-backends-elixir-mode)
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@
       "mx" 'alchemist-mix-run
       "mh" 'alchemist-mix-help
 
+      "'"  'alchemist-iex-run
       "sc" 'alchemist-iex-compile-this-buffer
       "si" 'alchemist-iex-run
       "sI" 'alchemist-iex-project-run
diff --git a/layers/+lang/elm/packages.el b/layers/+lang/elm/packages.el
index 865402d159be..d5a2bbb766a0 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/elm/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/elm/packages.el
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@
     :mode ("\\.elm\\'" . elm-mode)
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'elm-mode 'elm-repl-load "elm")
+
       (defun spacemacs/init-elm-mode ()
         "Disable electric-indent-mode and let indentation cycling feature work"
         (if (fboundp 'electric-indent-local-mode)
@@ -78,6 +80,7 @@
         "ht" 'elm-oracle-type-at-point
 
         ;; repl
+        "'"  'elm-repl-load
         "si" 'elm-repl-load
         "sf" 'elm-repl-push-decl
         "sF" 'spacemacs/elm-repl-push-decl-focus
diff --git a/layers/+lang/emacs-lisp/packages.el b/layers/+lang/emacs-lisp/packages.el
index 29db9dee540b..b8cad311b819 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/emacs-lisp/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/emacs-lisp/packages.el
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
       (dolist (mode '(emacs-lisp-mode lisp-interaction-mode))
         (spacemacs/declare-prefix-for-mode mode "ms" "ielm")
         (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode mode
+          "'" 'ielm
           "si" 'ielm)))
     :config
     (defun ielm-indent-line ()
diff --git a/layers/+lang/ess/packages.el b/layers/+lang/ess/packages.el
index f4b529fd0d71..de04b03c2b7c 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/ess/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/ess/packages.el
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@
     :commands (R stata julia SAS)
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'ess-site 'julia)
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'ess-site 'spacemacs/ess-start-repl "ess")
       (when (configuration-layer/package-usedp 'company)
           (add-hook 'ess-mode-hook 'company-mode))))
 
@@ -73,8 +75,10 @@
        ((string= "SAS" ess-language) (call-interactively 'SAS))))
 
     (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'ess-julia-mode
+      "'"  'julia
       "si" 'julia)
     (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'ess-mode
+      "'"  'spacemacs/ess-start-repl
       "si" 'spacemacs/ess-start-repl
       ;; noweb
       "cC" 'ess-eval-chunk-and-go
diff --git a/layers/+lang/fsharp/packages.el b/layers/+lang/fsharp/packages.el
index 2572675a1856..075d04c5b43a 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/fsharp/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/fsharp/packages.el
@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@
   (use-package fsharp-mode
     :defer t
     :init
-    (setq fsharp-doc-idle-delay .2)
+    (progn
+      (setq fsharp-doc-idle-delay .2)
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'fsharp-mode 'fsharp-show-subshell "F#"))
     :config
     (progn
 
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@
 
         "ht" 'fsharp-ac/show-tooltip-at-point
 
+        "'"  'fsharp-show-subshell
         "sb" 'fsharp-load-buffer-file
         "sB" 'spacemacs/fsharp-load-buffer-file-focus
         "si" 'fsharp-show-subshell
diff --git a/layers/+lang/idris/packages.el b/layers/+lang/idris/packages.el
index e8c61af18e21..0570fae74055 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/idris/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/idris/packages.el
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 (defun idris/init-idris-mode ()
   (use-package idris-mode
     :defer t
+    :init (spacemacs/register-repl 'idris-mode 'idris-ensure-process-and-repl-buffer "idris")
     :config
     (progn
       (defun spacemacs/idris-load-file-and-focus (&optional set-line)
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@
         "mc" 'idris-show-core-term
 
         ;; REPL
+        "'"  'idris-ensure-process-and-repl-buffer
         "sb" 'idris-load-file
         "sB" 'spacemacs/idris-load-file-and-focus
         "si" 'idris-ensure-process-and-repl-buffer
diff --git a/layers/+lang/javascript/packages.el b/layers/+lang/javascript/packages.el
index 43db5646e2b6..9d012c93ea7d 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/javascript/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/javascript/packages.el
@@ -214,7 +214,10 @@
 (defun javascript/init-skewer-mode ()
   (use-package skewer-mode
     :defer t
-    :init (add-hook 'js2-mode-hook 'skewer-mode)
+    :init
+    (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'skewer-mode 'spacemacs/skewer-start-repl "skewer")
+      (add-hook 'js2-mode-hook 'skewer-mode))
     :config
     (progn
       (defun spacemacs/skewer-start-repl ()
@@ -250,6 +253,7 @@
         (evil-insert-state))
 
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'js2-mode
+        "'" 'spacemacs/skewer-start-repl
         "ee" 'skewer-eval-last-expression
         "eE" 'skewer-eval-print-last-expression
         "sb" 'skewer-load-buffer
diff --git a/layers/+lang/ocaml/packages.el b/layers/+lang/ocaml/packages.el
index 7e425e707a5a..0c51579281d4 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/ocaml/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/ocaml/packages.el
@@ -100,7 +100,10 @@
 (defun ocaml/init-utop ()
   (use-package utop
     :defer t
-    :init (add-hook 'tuareg-mode-hook 'utop-minor-mode)
+    :init
+    (progn
+      (add-hook 'tuareg-mode-hook 'utop-minor-mode)
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'utop 'utop "ocaml"))
     :config
     (progn
       ;; Setup environment variables using opam
@@ -139,6 +142,7 @@
         (evil-insert-state))
 
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'tuareg-mode
+        "'"  'utop
         "sb" 'utop-eval-buffer
         "sB" 'spacemacs/utop-eval-buffer-and-go
         "si" 'utop
diff --git a/layers/+lang/octave/packages.el b/layers/+lang/octave/packages.el
index 89917a164e7a..0695ee6e7028 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/octave/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/octave/packages.el
@@ -18,11 +18,13 @@
   (use-package octave
     :mode ("\\.m\\'" . octave-mode)
     :commands (run-octave)
+    :init (spacemacs/register-repl 'octave 'run-octave "octave")
     :config (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'octave-mode
               ;; helpers
               "hh" 'octave-help
               "hi" 'octave-lookfor
               ;; REPL
+              "'" 'run-octave
               "sb" 'octave-send-buffer
               "sf" 'octave-send-defun
               "si" 'run-octave
diff --git a/layers/+lang/purescript/packages.el b/layers/+lang/purescript/packages.el
index f3c0452e9330..f2c1d332ed39 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/purescript/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/purescript/packages.el
@@ -38,8 +38,10 @@
     :defer t
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'psci 'psci "purescript")
       (add-hook 'purescript-mode-hook 'inferior-psci-mode)
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'purescript-mode
+        "'"  'psci
         "sb" 'psci/load-current-file!
         "si" 'psci
         "sm" 'psci/load-module!
diff --git a/layers/+lang/python/packages.el b/layers/+lang/python/packages.el
index ab3d7abc5ee0..8e87b5b207c3 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/python/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/python/packages.el
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@
     :defer t
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'python 'python-start-or-switch-repl "python")
+
       (defun python-default ()
         (setq mode-name "Python"
               tab-width 4
@@ -315,6 +317,7 @@
       (spacemacs/declare-prefix-for-mode 'python-mode "mv" "pyenv")
       (spacemacs/declare-prefix-for-mode 'python-mode "mV" "pyvenv")
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'python-mode
+        "'"  'python-start-or-switch-repl
         "cc" 'spacemacs/python-execute-file
         "cC" 'spacemacs/python-execute-file-focus
         "db" 'python-toggle-breakpoint
diff --git a/layers/+lang/racket/packages.el b/layers/+lang/racket/packages.el
index c1373fd2d3c5..d63ed84114c0 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/racket/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/racket/packages.el
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 (defun racket/init-racket-mode ()
   (use-package racket-mode
     :defer t
+    :init (spacemacs/register-repl 'racket-mode 'racket-repl "racket")
     :config
     (progn
       ;; smartparens configuration
@@ -79,6 +80,7 @@
         ;; insert
         "il" 'racket-insert-lambda
         ;; REPL
+        "'"  'racket-repl
         "sb" 'racket-run
         "sB" 'spacemacs/racket-run-and-switch-to-repl
         "se" 'racket-send-last-sexp
diff --git a/layers/+lang/ruby/packages.el b/layers/+lang/ruby/packages.el
index c236ea7818f6..417072dddf2d 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/ruby/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/ruby/packages.el
@@ -122,6 +122,7 @@
     :defer t
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'robe 'robe-start "robe")
       (dolist (hook '(ruby-mode-hook enh-ruby-mode-hook))
         (add-hook hook 'robe-mode))
       (when (configuration-layer/layer-usedp 'auto-completion)
@@ -136,6 +137,7 @@
         (spacemacs/declare-prefix-for-mode mode "mh" "ruby/docs")
         (spacemacs/declare-prefix-for-mode mode "ms" "ruby/repl")
         (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode mode
+          "'" 'robe-start
           ;; robe mode specific
           "gg" 'robe-jump
           "hd" 'robe-doc
diff --git a/layers/+lang/scala/packages.el b/layers/+lang/scala/packages.el
index eef0882ab01a..102c3698507c 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/scala/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/scala/packages.el
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
     :commands (ensime-mode)
     :init
     (progn
+      (spacemacs/register-repl 'ensime 'ensime-inf-switch "ensime")
       (when scala-enable-eldoc
         (add-hook 'ensime-mode-hook 'scala/enable-eldoc))
       (add-hook 'scala-mode-hook 'scala/configure-flyspell)
@@ -96,7 +97,8 @@
         (spacemacs/declare-prefix-for-mode 'scala-mode (car prefix) (cdr prefix)))
 
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'scala-mode
-        "/"     'ensime-search
+        "/"      'ensime-search
+        "'"      'ensime-inf-switch
 
         "bc"     'ensime-sbt-do-compile
         "bC"     'ensime-sbt-do-clean
diff --git a/layers/+lang/scheme/packages.el b/layers/+lang/scheme/packages.el
index 44eb00a97857..e4a81f87c45d 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/scheme/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/scheme/packages.el
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 (defun scheme/init-geiser ()
   (use-package geiser
     :commands run-geiser
+    :init (spacemacs/register-repl 'geiser 'geiser-mode-switch-to-repl "geiser")
     :config
     (progn
       (spacemacs/declare-prefix-for-mode 'scheme-mode "mc" "compiling")
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@
       (spacemacs/declare-prefix-for-mode 'scheme-mode "ms" "repl")
 
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'scheme-mode
+        "'"  'geiser-mode-switch-to-repl
         ","  'lisp-state-toggle-lisp-state
 
         "cc" 'geiser-compile-current-buffer
diff --git a/layers/+lang/sml/packages.el b/layers/+lang/sml/packages.el
index 9b0ae516d195..eb5c314984bf 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/sml/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/sml/packages.el
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
     :mode ("\\.\\(sml\\|sig\\)\\'" . sml-mode)
     :defer t
     :commands run-sml
+    :init (spacemacs/register-repl 'sml-mode 'run-sml "sml")
     :config
     (progn
       (defun spacemacs/sml-prog-proc-send-buffer-and-focus ()
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@
 
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'sml-mode
         ;; REPL
+        "'"  'run-sml
         "sb" 'sml-prog-proc-send-buffer
         "sB" 'spacemacs/sml-prog-proc-send-buffer-and-focus
         "sf" 'sml-send-function
diff --git a/layers/+lang/sql/packages.el b/layers/+lang/sql/packages.el
index 847ecf8e8ac0..b5553b4178e1 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/sql/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/sql/packages.el
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 (defun sql/init-sql ()
   (use-package sql
     :defer t
+    :init (spacemacs/register-repl 'sql 'spacemacs/sql-start "sql")
     :config
     (progn
       (setq spacemacs-sql-highlightable sql-product-alist
@@ -78,6 +79,8 @@
           (evil-insert-state)))
 
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys-for-major-mode 'sql-mode
+        "'" 'spacemacs/sql-start
+
         ;; sqli buffer
         "bb" 'sql-show-sqli-buffer
         "bs" 'sql-set-sqli-buffer