[mariusasdf]

This reasoning seems fundamentally confused, so I feel like clarifying some concepts:

On Runnable you can create basic client-side JavaScript files to be run in the browser (without jQuery) and do window and DOM manipulations.

Node.js isn't a framework for the browser (like jQuery), but a server application platform (with a bunch of objects and functions).

"Pure js" doesn't exist as an environment. It runs within a parent environment (e.g. a browser or a server) and manipulates the global objects in that environment.

JavaScript is just a language specification, and can be implemented in any environment. (For instance, it's implemented in Adobe Illustrator.)

[mcv]

Yes, but jQuery is not the only way to use javascript in the browser. Why that restriction?

[mariusasdf]

Ok, got you. If you use the "Create New" button in the top right corner, you get the option to create a "JS" project.

The project template comes with jQuery pre-installed. However, it can easily be removed.

I guess the people behind Runnable assumes that it's more convenient to have to remove jQuery than having to add it for each new JS project, and personally I agree with that assumption.

Hope this helps!