To run code, certainly! We automatically provision an auto-scaling mutable development API environment associated with your account when you do so. :) Happens in seconds.
You say that as though it's obvious that one has to create an account, even though many similar services, including CodeSandbox, don't require one for playing around.
While it is true that Runkit (backend) offers the ability to play around without being logged in, Francisco and team are also focused on providing an amazing Node prototyping, learning and debugging environment, so that’s a necessity. We’re super impressed with their work. (Note to Runkit team: feel free to jump in.)
Our value prop, however, is that we’re an API platform (Standard Library), and Code.xyz is a product that enables less technical people (those uncomfortable with command line tools) the ability to jump in and build within our ecosystem right away.
APIs are namespaced to your user account as an intentional design decision of the system. Code.xyz is a product that’s intended to be used in a professional setting to stand up business APIs (Slack bots, Stripe webhooks) and we’re okay with that trade off — at least for now!
I’d say if you just wanna play around with an embeddable REPL environment stick to Runkit. If you want an API you can stand up and run in production (for whatever purpose) but also want to develop it and collaborate on it in the browser, then we’re for you! Think of us like Google Docs for API development, at least that’s our North Star.
