Operator-defined avoidance of chatter

A control device of a machine tool receives a target machining, in accordance with which a workpiece should be machined by a tool of the machine tool. The control device also receives via a human-machine interface or via an interface to an external memory device a selection, a parameterization and/or a specification of a sequence of predefined rules, which define the manner in which the machining of the workpiece should be modified in the event of undesired vibrations during machining. When undesired vibrations do not occur, as determined from acquired sensor signals, machining is carried out in accordance with the target machining. When undesired vibrations occur, the machining is modified in accordance with the rules, wherein the control device selects the rules in accordance with the selection, parameterizes the rules in accordance with the parameterization and/or carries out the rules in accordance with the specified sequence.