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

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.

Solution 1:

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
   

Solution 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.

Solution 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.