In a method for the start-up operation of a multi-axis system, with the multi-axis system including, as components, segments connected via respective joints and are movable in one or more axes, and a tool, connected to one of the segments and is movable to a specified position, optical markers are arranged in the environment. Position coordinates of the optical markers in a first, global coordinate system are ascertained and stored in the controller. The environment is captured as image data by a camera system. The image data are transmitted to an AR system and visualized in an output apparatus. The optical markers and virtual markers are represented during the visualization of the image data, wherein a respective virtual marker is assigned to an optical marker. A check is performed as to whether an optical marker and the virtual marker overlay one another in the visualized image data.