diff --git a/roles/common-prep/tasks/main.yml b/roles/common-prep/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e5474d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/common-prep/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+---
+# file: roles/common-prep/tasks/main.yml
+
+- name: Upgrade system to current using apt
+  apt: update_cache=yes upgrade=dist
+
+- name: Install standard packages
+  apt:  pkg={{ item }} state=present
+  with_items:
+   - tmux
+   - vim
+
+- name: Enable vim syntax highlighting
+  lineinfile: dest=/etc/vim/vimrc
+    regexp="^\s*syntax on"
+    line="syntax on"