I've been waiting to buy a new ST and reading as much as I can. I have a few questions on shifting the SE. When you are stopped at idle with the foot on the brake, does the transmission always go to neutral or can you be in gear?

When starting out from neutral, do you upshift or downshift to first gear? (is neutral between 1 and 2 just like a manual?)

I've never driven a paddle shift vehicle so forgive the simple questions. Thanks.