A method for controlling a machine tool is presented. The method include: providing a machine tool; providing a manufacturing sequence of multiple manufacturing steps; generating control data with control commands that specify machining operations of the machine tool according to the manufacturing steps of the manufacturing sequence, and additional data which includes at least one list which specifies parameters extracted from the control commands; providing the control data in a control unit of the machine tool; receiving input data in the control unit, where the input data specifies a user input; generating modified control commands by way of the control unit, such that the modified control commands are generated from the control commands in accordance with the additional data and the input data; and actuating the machine tool by the control device in accordance with the modified control commands.