Is there a Perl or Python script I can write which can minimize the Gnome terminal window?

Question

I'm on Ubuntu 14.04 with the old-style GNOME setting from the GDM. (I don't like the new Unity interface.) Is there a way I can create a command that I can type in my terminal window to minimize it? It would be so awesome to simply type min and the terminal prompt minimizes while I focus on something else.

score 13 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 24 '15 at 23:35

13

First, install the xdotool command:
```
sudo apt-get install xdotool
```

Then, create an alias to be able to run min as a command:

echo 'alias min="xdotool getactivewindow windowminimize"' >> ~/.bashrc`

Reload the .bashrc file:
```
. ~/.bashrc
```

edited Feb 24 '15 at 23:35

Seth

59,332

answered Feb 19 '15 at 17:20

Volomike

2,305

score 8 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 19 '15 at 19:48

The following python oneliner will minimize the current gnome-terminal window:

python3 -c "from gi.repository import Gdk; \
[ Gdk.Screen.get_default().get_active_window().iconify() for i in range(2)]"

Note that we need to call iconify() two times to minimize the window.

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 19 '15 at 17:34

2

You can just use keybindings of Ctrl+Space to open the window menu, then press N (in an English locale) to minimize the window.

answered Feb 19 '15 at 17:34

dobey

41,650

Is there a Perl or Python script I can write which can minimize the Gnome terminal window?

3 Answers3