How to make a program skip the task bar (task list) in GNU/Linux?

Question

I'm coding a demon like program from Gambas on Ubuntu 13.10.
This is a GUI application which becomes visible when the user hits specific key.
Therefore, I don't want this program to appear on the task bar.

Is there a way I can bypass it? (Maybe from a Bash trick or a Gambas code?)
Thanks! :)

Answer 1

You need to add _NET_WM_STATE_SKIP_TASKBAR atom to _NET_WM_STATE - see 'Application window properties' part of emwh spec.

Answer 2

I don't know at all gambas, but what you want is the following for gtk (in python):

 window.set_property("skip-taskbar-hint", True)

or for QT:

setWindowFlags(QtCore.Qt.SplashScreen)

basically, you need to find a way to change the properties or flags for the windows you want to display. Look at the API of the windows in gambas

Answer 3

Since the OP mentioned a "Bash trick"…

If you're OK installing a helper program from your distro's repositories, wmctrl can do this with a lot less fuss than any other solution I've found so far.

wmctrl -b add,skip_taskbar -r 'The Window Name'