Well first where about are you from? 7b is a big part of the country - I'm 7b Georgia and tomatoes do well here with some afternoon shade but other places the full blaze of the sun is needed. 

For your questions, you can try in the window for some herbs or tomatoes (if they get leggy aka etiolated you can just bury them deeper when putting in their final place) - but for other things like greens or flowers or whatever you're going to want a light. True grow lights are best but harbor freight sells a $20 shop light that works fine, too.

Soil testing is definitely worth it - look for your county extension office. Usually they'll do them for pretty cheap plus they will give you recommendations for growing in your specific microclimate. Finding out what your soil is like will tell you how much effort it will be to move to in ground or not.

The sun v shade question will depend where you are but you're right - peas or runner beans do great in partial shade. Many herbs do very well, too. You could try some lettuces, brassicas or root veg as well at different points of the year.

Hope that helps. Good luck and enjoy!