how to do "press enter to exit" in batch

Default interpreters from Microsoft are done in a way, that causes them exit when they reach EOF. If rake is another batch file, command interpreter switches to it and exits when rake interpretation is finished. To prevent this write:

@echo off
cls
call rake
pause

IMHO, call operator will lauch another instance of intepretator thereby preventing the current one interpreter from switching to another input file.

@echo off
echo something
echo Press enter to exit
set /p input=

pause

will display:

Press any key to continue . . .