I'm sorry - I tried hard and I can't make it happen on 15.04 :( I just linked this bug to the upstream one. Hopefully a solution will be forthcoming there or 3.16 fixes the problem for you...
** Bug watch added: GNOME Bug Tracker #649680 https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=649680 ** Also affects: gnome-terminal via https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=649680 Importance: Unknown Status: Unknown -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to gnome-terminal in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1451944 Title: Gnome-terminal in Ubuntu Unity shrinks to minimum size Status in GNOME Terminal: Unknown Status in gnome-terminal package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: When I open a terminal in Ubuntu 15.04, it shrinks to 1 character by 1 character. I can use the corner resizer to make the window bigger, but it immediately shrinks to 1x1. There are a few x,y combinations that allow the window to stay at the desired size, but if you're off by a pixel, the window shrinks to 1x1. There is another question (http://askubuntu.com/questions/423733 /gnome-terminal-in-kubuntu-shrinks-to-minimum-size), Gnome-terminal in Kubuntu shrinks to minimum size, that is basically the same thing, but in KDE. I tried to follow the instructions: In KDE, go to System Settings. Return to the overview if you are not already there. In the Workspace Appearance and Behavior section, click Window Behavior. In the area to the left, click the Window Rules icon. but, there is no Workspace Appearance and Behavior section. I couldn't find a similar setting in ccsm, gnome-tweak-tool or unity-tweak-tool. % dpkg-query --show compiz compiz 1:0.9.12.1+15.04.20150410.1-0ubuntu1 % dpkg-query --show unity unity 7.3.2+15.04.20150420-0ubuntu1 ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 15.04 Package: gnome-terminal 3.14.2-0ubuntu3 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.19.0-16.16-generic 3.19.3 Uname: Linux 3.19.0-16-generic x86_64 NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia ApportVersion: 2.17.2-0ubuntu1 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: Unity Date: Tue May 5 09:59:55 2015 ExecutablePath: /usr/lib/gnome-terminal/gnome-terminal-server InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-05-02 (732 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Release amd64 (20130424) SourcePackage: gnome-terminal UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to vivid on 2015-04-26 (8 days ago) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/gnome-terminal/+bug/1451944/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp