Method, computer programme and apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine thereof

The method involves injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber and at least temporarily carrying out a layered mode of operation. A difference between an actual revolution rate (nist) and a desired revolution rate (nsoll) is determined in layered mode after a start-up settling period and a mixture adaptation is carried out directly or indirectly depending on the actual-demand value difference. Independent claims are also included for the following: a computer program for implementing the method, a control and/or regulation device and an internal combustion engine.