<p dir="ltr">This is the codes used in the following work: The pivotal role of unicellular flagellates in aquatic food webs is facilitated by their flagella that generate thrust for propulsion and feeding current generation. In important flagellates, the flagellum is equipped with rigid hairs that reverts thrust direction and increases its magnitude relative to a naked flagellum. We understand how this functions in flagella with pla-nar waves, but many flagellates have 3-dimensional wave patterns. Here we show that a wave of twist and torsion of alternating sign propagating along the beating flagellum is required to yield thrust of the direction and magni-tude observed in living cells. The resulting dynamic rotation of the densely spaced hairs yields a flapping pattern that drives an efficient feeding current in a dominating group of oceanic flagellates.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">Awaiting publication</p>