How can customer accounts be enabled in a Shopify theme?

Enabling customer accounts in a Shopify theme involves a combination of settings in the Shopify admin dashboard and possibly modifying Liquid code to control how customer accounts are presented and function on the storefront. The Shopify admin allows store owners to turn on the option for customers to create accounts and manage their login credentials. By navigating to the settings and selecting 'Checkout', the option to require accounts can be managed to allow customers to register, log in, or check out as guests.

Moreover, Liquid code, which is the templating language used by Shopify, can be modified to customize the appearance and functionality of the customer account sections of the theme. This customization may include changes to the layout, adding specific elements or features related to accounts, or enhancing the visibility of account-related actions.

In contrast, editing the theme's CSS files pertains primarily to styling and visual adjustments, which do not inherently enable customer accounts. Using third-party applications might offer additional functionalities but is not necessary to enable basic customer accounts, which are a standard feature provided by Shopify itself. Configuring the payment gateway relates specifically to how transactions are processed and is not linked to customer account management. Thus, adjusting settings in the Shopify admin combined with potentially modifying Liquid code is the most effective and direct method for enabling and customizing