diff --git a/backbone.js b/backbone.js
index d72fa9c2..7fe5c03d 100644
--- a/backbone.js
+++ b/backbone.js
@@ -40,6 +40,25 @@
// For Backbone's purposes, jQuery, Zepto, or Ender owns the `$` variable.
var $ = root.jQuery || root.Zepto || root.ender;
+
+ // Set the javascript library that will be used for the selector work
+ // (a.k.a. the `$` variable).
+ //
+ // By default Backbone will use: jQuery, Zepto, or Ender; but the `use()`
+ // method let's you inject an alternate javascript library (or a mock
+ // library for testing your views outside of a browser). This is also useful
+ // if you are using a packaging library -- to add support for `require()`
+ // calls in the browser (e.g. ender or browserify). The scoping used to
+ // support `require()`, prevents Backbone from automatically loading the
+ // default javascript library.
+ //
+ // Backbone.use(jQuery)
+ //
+ Backbone.use = function(lib) {
+ $ = lib;
+ };
+
+
// Runs Backbone.js in *noConflict* mode, returning the `Backbone` variable
// to its previous owner. Returns a reference to this Backbone object.
Backbone.noConflict = function() {
diff --git a/test/test.html b/test/test.html
index eb7fa271..68181bd2 100644
--- a/test/test.html
+++ b/test/test.html
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
+
diff --git a/test/use.js b/test/use.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e88ca229
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/use.js
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+$(document).ready(function() {
+
+ var view = new Backbone.View({
+ id : 'test-use',
+ className : 'test-use'
+ });
+
+ // a mock javascript library
+ var myLib = function(){ return "spam" }
+
+ module("Backbone.use");
+
+ test('Backbone.use', function() {
+ view.el = document.body;
+
+ // switch to mock library and see if it is being used
+ Backbone.use(myLib);
+ ok(view.$('#qunit-header a') === 'spam');
+
+ // switch back to jQuery and make sure it works
+ Backbone.use(jQuery);
+ ok(view.$('#qunit-header a').get(0).innerHTML.match(/Backbone Test Suite/));
+
+ });
+
+});
\ No newline at end of file