Had the same question (and surprised that CoffeeScript isn't wildly more popular for these new IoT devices !?)
Using CoffeeScript for app sources (Using Intel XDK my target is Edison) is as easy as
First install CoffeeScript (globally if you wish)
root@edison:~# npm install --global coffee-script
Your main.js
require('coffee-script/register')
module.exports=require('./start')
Your CoffeeScript source (start.coffee) having initial entry routine
utils = require 'util'
utils.log "Hello Macchiato !\n\n#{utils.inspect process.mainModule}"
