How to hide or minimize X11 window from console?

Solution 1:

You can use wmctrl to control windows and the desktop from the command line. (If you are logging in via SSH or virtual console, you probably have to set DISPLAY to :0 first.) For instance:

## List windows
wmctrl -l
## Put the window (find window id in above list) below other windows:
wmctrl -i -r 0x04800004 -b add,below
## Remove maximization:
wmctrl -i -r 0x04800004 -b remove,maximized_horz,maximized_vert

I haven't found out how to minimize one window with wmctrl, but you can show the desktop (i.e., minimize all windows) with

wmctrl -k on

Solution 2:

Maybe xdotool can help you.