For now, I would recommend to err on the side of caution when deciding whether or not to unclip, as you get more confident, you can coast slowly until the light turns, or even come to a stop and only unclip after a second, and finally, master the track stand (never tried but have seen it done).

The compact double will get you up anything up to and beyond 20% incline (that's 20 meters elevation gain on 100 - maybe the US does it differently). It's a matter of strength, which will come.

It also depends on what cassette you have in back. I have an 11-27 Shimano now, [used to have a 12-29 - Campy - which is the one that got me up 20%] and will get a 12-28 SRAM if it works with Shimano, which it is said to [Shimano ends at 27].