Abstract The Trickle algorithm allows nodes in a lossy shared medium (e.g.@ low-power and lossy networks) to exchange information in a highly robust@ energy efficient@ simple@ and scalable manner. Dynamically adjusting transmission windows allows Trickle to spread new information on the scale of link-layer transmission times while sending only a few messages per hour when information does not change. A simple suppression mechanism and transmission point selection allow Trickle's communication rate to scale logarithmically with density. This document describes the Trickle algorithm and considerations in its use.