A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller. and a stapling assembly having a closure member, a staple driver member, and a knife member. The controller receives a user input that indicates a tissue gap to be defined by the stapling assembly in a closed state. Based on the user input, the controller controls the motor unit to actuate the closure member to transition the stapling assembly to the closed state to define the tissue gap and clamp tissue therein. The controller then controls the motor unit to actuate the staple driver member to drive staples into the clamped tissue. In response to determining that the staple driver member has reached a predetermined longitudinal position, the controller controls the motor unit to initiate actuation of the knife member to cut the clamped tissue.