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Volomike
Asked: 2015-02-20 08:59:09 +0800 CST

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

  • 772

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.

command-line

3 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    1. First, install the xdotool command: 

      sudo apt-get install xdotool

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

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

    3. Reload the .bashrc file:

      . ~/.bashrc
    • 13

  2. 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.

    • 8

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

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