diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
index 6fe6037f31..60dc0a113d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
@@ -248,8 +248,10 @@ void APIConnection::loop() {
     if (state_subs_at_ < static_cast<int>(subs.size())) {
       auto &it = subs[state_subs_at_];
       SubscribeHomeAssistantStateResponse resp;
-      resp.entity_id = it.entity_id;
-      resp.attribute = it.attribute.value();
+      resp.set_entity_id(StringRef(it.entity_id));
+      // attribute.value() returns temporary - must store it
+      std::string attribute_value = it.attribute.value();
+      resp.set_attribute(StringRef(attribute_value));
       resp.once = it.once;
       if (this->send_message(resp, SubscribeHomeAssistantStateResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
         state_subs_at_++;
@@ -260,14 +262,14 @@ void APIConnection::loop() {
   }
 }
 
-DisconnectResponse APIConnection::disconnect(const DisconnectRequest &msg) {
+bool APIConnection::send_disconnect_response(const DisconnectRequest &msg) {
   // remote initiated disconnect_client
   // don't close yet, we still need to send the disconnect response
   // close will happen on next loop
   ESP_LOGD(TAG, "%s disconnected", this->get_client_combined_info().c_str());
   this->flags_.next_close = true;
   DisconnectResponse resp;
-  return resp;
+  return this->send_message(resp, DisconnectResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
 }
 void APIConnection::on_disconnect_response(const DisconnectResponse &value) {
   this->helper_->close();
@@ -344,7 +346,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_binary_sensor_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConne
                                                     bool is_single) {
   auto *binary_sensor = static_cast<binary_sensor::BinarySensor *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse msg;
-  msg.device_class = binary_sensor->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(binary_sensor->get_device_class_ref());
   msg.is_status_binary_sensor = binary_sensor->is_status_binary_sensor();
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(binary_sensor, msg, ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn,
                                      remaining_size, is_single);
@@ -376,7 +378,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_cover_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *c
   msg.supports_position = traits.get_supports_position();
   msg.supports_tilt = traits.get_supports_tilt();
   msg.supports_stop = traits.get_supports_stop();
-  msg.device_class = cover->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(cover->get_device_class_ref());
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(cover, msg, ListEntitiesCoverResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size,
                                      is_single);
 }
@@ -411,7 +413,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_fan_state(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *co
   if (traits.supports_direction())
     msg.direction = static_cast<enums::FanDirection>(fan->direction);
   if (traits.supports_preset_modes())
-    msg.preset_mode = fan->preset_mode;
+    msg.set_preset_mode(StringRef(fan->preset_mode));
   return fill_and_encode_entity_state(fan, msg, FanStateResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size, is_single);
 }
 uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_fan_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *conn, uint32_t remaining_size,
@@ -468,8 +470,11 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_light_state(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *
   resp.color_temperature = values.get_color_temperature();
   resp.cold_white = values.get_cold_white();
   resp.warm_white = values.get_warm_white();
-  if (light->supports_effects())
-    resp.effect = light->get_effect_name();
+  if (light->supports_effects()) {
+    // get_effect_name() returns temporary std::string - must store it
+    std::string effect_name = light->get_effect_name();
+    resp.set_effect(StringRef(effect_name));
+  }
   return fill_and_encode_entity_state(light, resp, LightStateResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size, is_single);
 }
 uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_light_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *conn, uint32_t remaining_size,
@@ -545,10 +550,10 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_sensor_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *
                                              bool is_single) {
   auto *sensor = static_cast<sensor::Sensor *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesSensorResponse msg;
-  msg.unit_of_measurement = sensor->get_unit_of_measurement();
+  msg.set_unit_of_measurement(sensor->get_unit_of_measurement_ref());
   msg.accuracy_decimals = sensor->get_accuracy_decimals();
   msg.force_update = sensor->get_force_update();
-  msg.device_class = sensor->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(sensor->get_device_class_ref());
   msg.state_class = static_cast<enums::SensorStateClass>(sensor->get_state_class());
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(sensor, msg, ListEntitiesSensorResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size,
                                      is_single);
@@ -575,7 +580,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_switch_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *
   auto *a_switch = static_cast<switch_::Switch *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesSwitchResponse msg;
   msg.assumed_state = a_switch->assumed_state();
-  msg.device_class = a_switch->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(a_switch->get_device_class_ref());
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(a_switch, msg, ListEntitiesSwitchResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size,
                                      is_single);
 }
@@ -600,7 +605,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_text_sensor_state(EntityBase *entity, APIConnec
                                                    bool is_single) {
   auto *text_sensor = static_cast<text_sensor::TextSensor *>(entity);
   TextSensorStateResponse resp;
-  resp.state = text_sensor->state;
+  resp.set_state(StringRef(text_sensor->state));
   resp.missing_state = !text_sensor->has_state();
   return fill_and_encode_entity_state(text_sensor, resp, TextSensorStateResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size,
                                       is_single);
@@ -609,7 +614,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_text_sensor_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnect
                                                   bool is_single) {
   auto *text_sensor = static_cast<text_sensor::TextSensor *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse msg;
-  msg.device_class = text_sensor->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(text_sensor->get_device_class_ref());
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(text_sensor, msg, ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn,
                                      remaining_size, is_single);
 }
@@ -637,13 +642,19 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_climate_state(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection
   }
   if (traits.get_supports_fan_modes() && climate->fan_mode.has_value())
     resp.fan_mode = static_cast<enums::ClimateFanMode>(climate->fan_mode.value());
-  if (!traits.get_supported_custom_fan_modes().empty() && climate->custom_fan_mode.has_value())
-    resp.custom_fan_mode = climate->custom_fan_mode.value();
+  if (!traits.get_supported_custom_fan_modes().empty() && climate->custom_fan_mode.has_value()) {
+    // custom_fan_mode.value() returns temporary - must store it
+    std::string custom_fan_mode = climate->custom_fan_mode.value();
+    resp.set_custom_fan_mode(StringRef(custom_fan_mode));
+  }
   if (traits.get_supports_presets() && climate->preset.has_value()) {
     resp.preset = static_cast<enums::ClimatePreset>(climate->preset.value());
   }
-  if (!traits.get_supported_custom_presets().empty() && climate->custom_preset.has_value())
-    resp.custom_preset = climate->custom_preset.value();
+  if (!traits.get_supported_custom_presets().empty() && climate->custom_preset.has_value()) {
+    // custom_preset.value() returns temporary - must store it
+    std::string custom_preset = climate->custom_preset.value();
+    resp.set_custom_preset(StringRef(custom_preset));
+  }
   if (traits.get_supports_swing_modes())
     resp.swing_mode = static_cast<enums::ClimateSwingMode>(climate->swing_mode);
   if (traits.get_supports_current_humidity())
@@ -729,9 +740,9 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_number_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *
                                              bool is_single) {
   auto *number = static_cast<number::Number *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesNumberResponse msg;
-  msg.unit_of_measurement = number->traits.get_unit_of_measurement();
+  msg.set_unit_of_measurement(number->traits.get_unit_of_measurement_ref());
   msg.mode = static_cast<enums::NumberMode>(number->traits.get_mode());
-  msg.device_class = number->traits.get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(number->traits.get_device_class_ref());
   msg.min_value = number->traits.get_min_value();
   msg.max_value = number->traits.get_max_value();
   msg.step = number->traits.get_step();
@@ -844,7 +855,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_text_state(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *c
                                             bool is_single) {
   auto *text = static_cast<text::Text *>(entity);
   TextStateResponse resp;
-  resp.state = text->state;
+  resp.set_state(StringRef(text->state));
   resp.missing_state = !text->has_state();
   return fill_and_encode_entity_state(text, resp, TextStateResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size, is_single);
 }
@@ -856,7 +867,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_text_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *co
   msg.mode = static_cast<enums::TextMode>(text->traits.get_mode());
   msg.min_length = text->traits.get_min_length();
   msg.max_length = text->traits.get_max_length();
-  msg.pattern = text->traits.get_pattern();
+  msg.set_pattern(text->traits.get_pattern_ref());
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(text, msg, ListEntitiesTextResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size,
                                      is_single);
 }
@@ -877,7 +888,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_select_state(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection
                                               bool is_single) {
   auto *select = static_cast<select::Select *>(entity);
   SelectStateResponse resp;
-  resp.state = select->state;
+  resp.set_state(StringRef(select->state));
   resp.missing_state = !select->has_state();
   return fill_and_encode_entity_state(select, resp, SelectStateResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size, is_single);
 }
@@ -903,7 +914,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_button_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *
                                              bool is_single) {
   auto *button = static_cast<button::Button *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesButtonResponse msg;
-  msg.device_class = button->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(button->get_device_class_ref());
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(button, msg, ListEntitiesButtonResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size,
                                      is_single);
 }
@@ -972,7 +983,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_valve_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *c
   auto *valve = static_cast<valve::Valve *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesValveResponse msg;
   auto traits = valve->get_traits();
-  msg.device_class = valve->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(valve->get_device_class_ref());
   msg.assumed_state = traits.get_is_assumed_state();
   msg.supports_position = traits.get_supports_position();
   msg.supports_stop = traits.get_supports_stop();
@@ -1014,13 +1025,13 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_media_player_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnec
   auto traits = media_player->get_traits();
   msg.supports_pause = traits.get_supports_pause();
   for (auto &supported_format : traits.get_supported_formats()) {
-    MediaPlayerSupportedFormat media_format;
-    media_format.format = supported_format.format;
+    msg.supported_formats.emplace_back();
+    auto &media_format = msg.supported_formats.back();
+    media_format.set_format(StringRef(supported_format.format));
     media_format.sample_rate = supported_format.sample_rate;
     media_format.num_channels = supported_format.num_channels;
     media_format.purpose = static_cast<enums::MediaPlayerFormatPurpose>(supported_format.purpose);
     media_format.sample_bytes = supported_format.sample_bytes;
-    msg.supported_formats.push_back(media_format);
   }
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(media_player, msg, ListEntitiesMediaPlayerResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn,
                                      remaining_size, is_single);
@@ -1083,6 +1094,12 @@ void APIConnection::on_get_time_response(const GetTimeResponse &value) {
 }
 #endif
 
+bool APIConnection::send_get_time_response(const GetTimeRequest &msg) {
+  GetTimeResponse resp;
+  resp.epoch_seconds = ::time(nullptr);
+  return this->send_message(resp, GetTimeResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
+}
+
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
 void APIConnection::subscribe_bluetooth_le_advertisements(const SubscribeBluetoothLEAdvertisementsRequest &msg) {
   bluetooth_proxy::global_bluetooth_proxy->subscribe_api_connection(this, msg.flags);
@@ -1113,12 +1130,12 @@ void APIConnection::bluetooth_gatt_notify(const BluetoothGATTNotifyRequest &msg)
   bluetooth_proxy::global_bluetooth_proxy->bluetooth_gatt_notify(msg);
 }
 
-BluetoothConnectionsFreeResponse APIConnection::subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free(
+bool APIConnection::send_subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free_response(
     const SubscribeBluetoothConnectionsFreeRequest &msg) {
   BluetoothConnectionsFreeResponse resp;
   resp.free = bluetooth_proxy::global_bluetooth_proxy->get_bluetooth_connections_free();
   resp.limit = bluetooth_proxy::global_bluetooth_proxy->get_bluetooth_connections_limit();
-  return resp;
+  return this->send_message(resp, BluetoothConnectionsFreeResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
 }
 
 void APIConnection::bluetooth_scanner_set_mode(const BluetoothScannerSetModeRequest &msg) {
@@ -1179,28 +1196,27 @@ void APIConnection::on_voice_assistant_announce_request(const VoiceAssistantAnno
   }
 }
 
-VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse APIConnection::voice_assistant_get_configuration(
-    const VoiceAssistantConfigurationRequest &msg) {
+bool APIConnection::send_voice_assistant_get_configuration_response(const VoiceAssistantConfigurationRequest &msg) {
   VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse resp;
   if (!this->check_voice_assistant_api_connection_()) {
-    return resp;
+    return this->send_message(resp, VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
   }
 
   auto &config = voice_assistant::global_voice_assistant->get_configuration();
   for (auto &wake_word : config.available_wake_words) {
-    VoiceAssistantWakeWord resp_wake_word;
-    resp_wake_word.id = wake_word.id;
-    resp_wake_word.wake_word = wake_word.wake_word;
+    resp.available_wake_words.emplace_back();
+    auto &resp_wake_word = resp.available_wake_words.back();
+    resp_wake_word.set_id(StringRef(wake_word.id));
+    resp_wake_word.set_wake_word(StringRef(wake_word.wake_word));
     for (const auto &lang : wake_word.trained_languages) {
       resp_wake_word.trained_languages.push_back(lang);
     }
-    resp.available_wake_words.push_back(std::move(resp_wake_word));
   }
   for (auto &wake_word_id : config.active_wake_words) {
     resp.active_wake_words.push_back(wake_word_id);
   }
   resp.max_active_wake_words = config.max_active_wake_words;
-  return resp;
+  return this->send_message(resp, VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
 }
 
 void APIConnection::voice_assistant_set_configuration(const VoiceAssistantSetConfiguration &msg) {
@@ -1273,7 +1289,7 @@ void APIConnection::send_event(event::Event *event, const std::string &event_typ
 uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_event_response(event::Event *event, const std::string &event_type, APIConnection *conn,
                                                 uint32_t remaining_size, bool is_single) {
   EventResponse resp;
-  resp.event_type = event_type;
+  resp.set_event_type(StringRef(event_type));
   return fill_and_encode_entity_state(event, resp, EventResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size, is_single);
 }
 
@@ -1281,7 +1297,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_event_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *c
                                             bool is_single) {
   auto *event = static_cast<event::Event *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesEventResponse msg;
-  msg.device_class = event->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(event->get_device_class_ref());
   for (const auto &event_type : event->get_event_types())
     msg.event_types.push_back(event_type);
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(event, msg, ListEntitiesEventResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size,
@@ -1305,11 +1321,11 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_update_state(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection
       resp.has_progress = true;
       resp.progress = update->update_info.progress;
     }
-    resp.current_version = update->update_info.current_version;
-    resp.latest_version = update->update_info.latest_version;
-    resp.title = update->update_info.title;
-    resp.release_summary = update->update_info.summary;
-    resp.release_url = update->update_info.release_url;
+    resp.set_current_version(StringRef(update->update_info.current_version));
+    resp.set_latest_version(StringRef(update->update_info.latest_version));
+    resp.set_title(StringRef(update->update_info.title));
+    resp.set_release_summary(StringRef(update->update_info.summary));
+    resp.set_release_url(StringRef(update->update_info.release_url));
   }
   return fill_and_encode_entity_state(update, resp, UpdateStateResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size, is_single);
 }
@@ -1317,7 +1333,7 @@ uint16_t APIConnection::try_send_update_info(EntityBase *entity, APIConnection *
                                              bool is_single) {
   auto *update = static_cast<update::UpdateEntity *>(entity);
   ListEntitiesUpdateResponse msg;
-  msg.device_class = update->get_device_class();
+  msg.set_device_class(update->get_device_class_ref());
   return fill_and_encode_entity_info(update, msg, ListEntitiesUpdateResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE, conn, remaining_size,
                                      is_single);
 }
@@ -1366,7 +1382,7 @@ void APIConnection::complete_authentication_() {
 #endif
 }
 
-HelloResponse APIConnection::hello(const HelloRequest &msg) {
+bool APIConnection::send_hello_response(const HelloRequest &msg) {
   this->client_info_.name = msg.client_info;
   this->client_info_.peername = this->helper_->getpeername();
   this->client_api_version_major_ = msg.api_version_major;
@@ -1377,8 +1393,10 @@ HelloResponse APIConnection::hello(const HelloRequest &msg) {
   HelloResponse resp;
   resp.api_version_major = 1;
   resp.api_version_minor = 10;
-  resp.server_info = App.get_name() + " (esphome v" ESPHOME_VERSION ")";
-  resp.name = App.get_name();
+  // Temporary string for concatenation - will be valid during send_message call
+  std::string server_info = App.get_name() + " (esphome v" ESPHOME_VERSION ")";
+  resp.set_server_info(StringRef(server_info));
+  resp.set_name(StringRef(App.get_name()));
 
 #ifdef USE_API_PASSWORD
   // Password required - wait for authentication
@@ -1388,9 +1406,9 @@ HelloResponse APIConnection::hello(const HelloRequest &msg) {
   this->complete_authentication_();
 #endif
 
-  return resp;
+  return this->send_message(resp, HelloResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
 }
-ConnectResponse APIConnection::connect(const ConnectRequest &msg) {
+bool APIConnection::send_connect_response(const ConnectRequest &msg) {
   bool correct = true;
 #ifdef USE_API_PASSWORD
   correct = this->parent_->check_password(msg.password);
@@ -1402,48 +1420,71 @@ ConnectResponse APIConnection::connect(const ConnectRequest &msg) {
   if (correct) {
     this->complete_authentication_();
   }
-  return resp;
+  return this->send_message(resp, ConnectResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
 }
-DeviceInfoResponse APIConnection::device_info(const DeviceInfoRequest &msg) {
+
+bool APIConnection::send_ping_response(const PingRequest &msg) {
+  PingResponse resp;
+  return this->send_message(resp, PingResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
+}
+
+bool APIConnection::send_device_info_response(const DeviceInfoRequest &msg) {
   DeviceInfoResponse resp{};
 #ifdef USE_API_PASSWORD
   resp.uses_password = true;
 #endif
-  resp.name = App.get_name();
-  resp.friendly_name = App.get_friendly_name();
+  resp.set_name(StringRef(App.get_name()));
+  resp.set_friendly_name(StringRef(App.get_friendly_name()));
 #ifdef USE_AREAS
-  resp.suggested_area = App.get_area();
+  resp.set_suggested_area(StringRef(App.get_area()));
 #endif
-  resp.mac_address = get_mac_address_pretty();
-  resp.esphome_version = ESPHOME_VERSION;
-  resp.compilation_time = App.get_compilation_time();
+  // mac_address must store temporary string - will be valid during send_message call
+  std::string mac_address = get_mac_address_pretty();
+  resp.set_mac_address(StringRef(mac_address));
+
+  // Compile-time StringRef constants
+  static constexpr auto ESPHOME_VERSION_REF = StringRef::from_lit(ESPHOME_VERSION);
+  resp.set_esphome_version(ESPHOME_VERSION_REF);
+
+  // get_compilation_time() returns temporary std::string - must store it
+  std::string compilation_time = App.get_compilation_time();
+  resp.set_compilation_time(StringRef(compilation_time));
+
+  // Compile-time StringRef constants for manufacturers
 #if defined(USE_ESP8266) || defined(USE_ESP32)
-  resp.manufacturer = "Espressif";
+  static constexpr auto MANUFACTURER = StringRef::from_lit("Espressif");
 #elif defined(USE_RP2040)
-  resp.manufacturer = "Raspberry Pi";
+  static constexpr auto MANUFACTURER = StringRef::from_lit("Raspberry Pi");
 #elif defined(USE_BK72XX)
-  resp.manufacturer = "Beken";
+  static constexpr auto MANUFACTURER = StringRef::from_lit("Beken");
 #elif defined(USE_LN882X)
-  resp.manufacturer = "Lightning";
+  static constexpr auto MANUFACTURER = StringRef::from_lit("Lightning");
 #elif defined(USE_RTL87XX)
-  resp.manufacturer = "Realtek";
+  static constexpr auto MANUFACTURER = StringRef::from_lit("Realtek");
 #elif defined(USE_HOST)
-  resp.manufacturer = "Host";
+  static constexpr auto MANUFACTURER = StringRef::from_lit("Host");
 #endif
-  resp.model = ESPHOME_BOARD;
+  resp.set_manufacturer(MANUFACTURER);
+
+  static constexpr auto MODEL = StringRef::from_lit(ESPHOME_BOARD);
+  resp.set_model(MODEL);
 #ifdef USE_DEEP_SLEEP
   resp.has_deep_sleep = deep_sleep::global_has_deep_sleep;
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
-  resp.project_name = ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME;
-  resp.project_version = ESPHOME_PROJECT_VERSION;
+  static constexpr auto PROJECT_NAME = StringRef::from_lit(ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME);
+  static constexpr auto PROJECT_VERSION = StringRef::from_lit(ESPHOME_PROJECT_VERSION);
+  resp.set_project_name(PROJECT_NAME);
+  resp.set_project_version(PROJECT_VERSION);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_WEBSERVER
   resp.webserver_port = USE_WEBSERVER_PORT;
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
   resp.bluetooth_proxy_feature_flags = bluetooth_proxy::global_bluetooth_proxy->get_feature_flags();
-  resp.bluetooth_mac_address = bluetooth_proxy::global_bluetooth_proxy->get_bluetooth_mac_address_pretty();
+  // bt_mac must store temporary string - will be valid during send_message call
+  std::string bluetooth_mac = bluetooth_proxy::global_bluetooth_proxy->get_bluetooth_mac_address_pretty();
+  resp.set_bluetooth_mac_address(StringRef(bluetooth_mac));
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_VOICE_ASSISTANT
   resp.voice_assistant_feature_flags = voice_assistant::global_voice_assistant->get_feature_flags();
@@ -1453,23 +1494,25 @@ DeviceInfoResponse APIConnection::device_info(const DeviceInfoRequest &msg) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   for (auto const &device : App.get_devices()) {
-    DeviceInfo device_info;
+    resp.devices.emplace_back();
+    auto &device_info = resp.devices.back();
     device_info.device_id = device->get_device_id();
-    device_info.name = device->get_name();
+    device_info.set_name(StringRef(device->get_name()));
     device_info.area_id = device->get_area_id();
-    resp.devices.push_back(device_info);
   }
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_AREAS
   for (auto const &area : App.get_areas()) {
-    AreaInfo area_info;
+    resp.areas.emplace_back();
+    auto &area_info = resp.areas.back();
     area_info.area_id = area->get_area_id();
-    area_info.name = area->get_name();
-    resp.areas.push_back(area_info);
+    area_info.set_name(StringRef(area->get_name()));
   }
 #endif
-  return resp;
+
+  return this->send_message(resp, DeviceInfoResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
 }
+
 void APIConnection::on_home_assistant_state_response(const HomeAssistantStateResponse &msg) {
   for (auto &it : this->parent_->get_state_subs()) {
     if (it.entity_id == msg.entity_id && it.attribute.value() == msg.attribute) {
@@ -1491,23 +1534,21 @@ void APIConnection::execute_service(const ExecuteServiceRequest &msg) {
 }
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_NOISE
-NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse APIConnection::noise_encryption_set_key(const NoiseEncryptionSetKeyRequest &msg) {
+bool APIConnection::send_noise_encryption_set_key_response(const NoiseEncryptionSetKeyRequest &msg) {
   psk_t psk{};
   NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse resp;
   if (base64_decode(msg.key, psk.data(), msg.key.size()) != psk.size()) {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Invalid encryption key length");
     resp.success = false;
-    return resp;
+    return this->send_message(resp, NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
   }
-
   if (!this->parent_->save_noise_psk(psk, true)) {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Failed to save encryption key");
     resp.success = false;
-    return resp;
+    return this->send_message(resp, NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
   }
-
   resp.success = true;
-  return resp;
+  return this->send_message(resp, NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE);
 }
 #endif
 void APIConnection::subscribe_home_assistant_states(const SubscribeHomeAssistantStatesRequest &msg) {
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.h b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.h
index de7e91de01..5365a48292 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.h
@@ -148,8 +148,7 @@ class APIConnection : public APIServerConnection {
   void bluetooth_gatt_write_descriptor(const BluetoothGATTWriteDescriptorRequest &msg) override;
   void bluetooth_gatt_get_services(const BluetoothGATTGetServicesRequest &msg) override;
   void bluetooth_gatt_notify(const BluetoothGATTNotifyRequest &msg) override;
-  BluetoothConnectionsFreeResponse subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free(
-      const SubscribeBluetoothConnectionsFreeRequest &msg) override;
+  bool send_subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free_response(const SubscribeBluetoothConnectionsFreeRequest &msg) override;
   void bluetooth_scanner_set_mode(const BluetoothScannerSetModeRequest &msg) override;
 
 #endif
@@ -167,8 +166,7 @@ class APIConnection : public APIServerConnection {
   void on_voice_assistant_audio(const VoiceAssistantAudio &msg) override;
   void on_voice_assistant_timer_event_response(const VoiceAssistantTimerEventResponse &msg) override;
   void on_voice_assistant_announce_request(const VoiceAssistantAnnounceRequest &msg) override;
-  VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse voice_assistant_get_configuration(
-      const VoiceAssistantConfigurationRequest &msg) override;
+  bool send_voice_assistant_get_configuration_response(const VoiceAssistantConfigurationRequest &msg) override;
   void voice_assistant_set_configuration(const VoiceAssistantSetConfiguration &msg) override;
 #endif
 
@@ -195,11 +193,11 @@ class APIConnection : public APIServerConnection {
 #ifdef USE_HOMEASSISTANT_TIME
   void on_get_time_response(const GetTimeResponse &value) override;
 #endif
-  HelloResponse hello(const HelloRequest &msg) override;
-  ConnectResponse connect(const ConnectRequest &msg) override;
-  DisconnectResponse disconnect(const DisconnectRequest &msg) override;
-  PingResponse ping(const PingRequest &msg) override { return {}; }
-  DeviceInfoResponse device_info(const DeviceInfoRequest &msg) override;
+  bool send_hello_response(const HelloRequest &msg) override;
+  bool send_connect_response(const ConnectRequest &msg) override;
+  bool send_disconnect_response(const DisconnectRequest &msg) override;
+  bool send_ping_response(const PingRequest &msg) override;
+  bool send_device_info_response(const DeviceInfoRequest &msg) override;
   void list_entities(const ListEntitiesRequest &msg) override { this->list_entities_iterator_.begin(); }
   void subscribe_states(const SubscribeStatesRequest &msg) override {
     this->flags_.state_subscription = true;
@@ -214,15 +212,12 @@ class APIConnection : public APIServerConnection {
     this->flags_.service_call_subscription = true;
   }
   void subscribe_home_assistant_states(const SubscribeHomeAssistantStatesRequest &msg) override;
-  GetTimeResponse get_time(const GetTimeRequest &msg) override {
-    // TODO
-    return {};
-  }
+  bool send_get_time_response(const GetTimeRequest &msg) override;
 #ifdef USE_API_SERVICES
   void execute_service(const ExecuteServiceRequest &msg) override;
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_NOISE
-  NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse noise_encryption_set_key(const NoiseEncryptionSetKeyRequest &msg) override;
+  bool send_noise_encryption_set_key_response(const NoiseEncryptionSetKeyRequest &msg) override;
 #endif
 
   bool is_authenticated() override {
@@ -313,14 +308,17 @@ class APIConnection : public APIServerConnection {
                                               APIConnection *conn, uint32_t remaining_size, bool is_single) {
     // Set common fields that are shared by all entity types
     msg.key = entity->get_object_id_hash();
-    msg.object_id = entity->get_object_id();
+    // IMPORTANT: get_object_id() may return a temporary std::string
+    std::string object_id = entity->get_object_id();
+    msg.set_object_id(StringRef(object_id));
 
-    if (entity->has_own_name())
-      msg.name = entity->get_name();
+    if (entity->has_own_name()) {
+      msg.set_name(entity->get_name());
+    }
 
-      // Set common EntityBase properties
+    // Set common EntityBase properties
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-    msg.icon = entity->get_icon();
+    msg.set_icon(entity->get_icon_ref());
 #endif
     msg.disabled_by_default = entity->is_disabled_by_default();
     msg.entity_category = static_cast<enums::EntityCategory>(entity->get_entity_category());
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
index 09a1522fb4..d51f641746 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
@@ -34,14 +34,14 @@ bool HelloRequest::decode_length(uint32_t field_id, ProtoLengthDelimited value)
 void HelloResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_uint32(1, this->api_version_major);
   buffer.encode_uint32(2, this->api_version_minor);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->server_info);
-  buffer.encode_string(4, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->server_info_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(4, this->name_ref_);
 }
 void HelloResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->api_version_major);
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->api_version_minor);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->server_info);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->server_info_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 }
 bool ConnectRequest::decode_length(uint32_t field_id, ProtoLengthDelimited value) {
   switch (field_id) {
@@ -60,22 +60,22 @@ void ConnectResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 #ifdef USE_AREAS
 void AreaInfo::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_uint32(1, this->area_id);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->name_ref_);
 }
 void AreaInfo::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->area_id);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 }
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
 void DeviceInfo::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_uint32(1, this->device_id);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->name_ref_);
   buffer.encode_uint32(3, this->area_id);
 }
 void DeviceInfo::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->area_id);
 }
 #endif
@@ -83,19 +83,19 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #ifdef USE_API_PASSWORD
   buffer.encode_bool(1, this->uses_password);
 #endif
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->name);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->mac_address);
-  buffer.encode_string(4, this->esphome_version);
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->compilation_time);
-  buffer.encode_string(6, this->model);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->name_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->mac_address_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(4, this->esphome_version_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->compilation_time_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(6, this->model_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEEP_SLEEP
   buffer.encode_bool(7, this->has_deep_sleep);
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->project_name);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->project_name_ref_);
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
-  buffer.encode_string(9, this->project_version);
+  buffer.encode_string(9, this->project_version_ref_);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_WEBSERVER
   buffer.encode_uint32(10, this->webserver_port);
@@ -103,16 +103,16 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
   buffer.encode_uint32(15, this->bluetooth_proxy_feature_flags);
 #endif
-  buffer.encode_string(12, this->manufacturer);
-  buffer.encode_string(13, this->friendly_name);
+  buffer.encode_string(12, this->manufacturer_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(13, this->friendly_name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_VOICE_ASSISTANT
   buffer.encode_uint32(17, this->voice_assistant_feature_flags);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_AREAS
-  buffer.encode_string(16, this->suggested_area);
+  buffer.encode_string(16, this->suggested_area_ref_);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
-  buffer.encode_string(18, this->bluetooth_mac_address);
+  buffer.encode_string(18, this->bluetooth_mac_address_ref_);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_NOISE
   buffer.encode_bool(19, this->api_encryption_supported);
@@ -135,19 +135,19 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 #ifdef USE_API_PASSWORD
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->uses_password);
 #endif
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->mac_address);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->esphome_version);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->compilation_time);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->model);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->mac_address_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->esphome_version_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->compilation_time_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->model_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEEP_SLEEP
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->has_deep_sleep);
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->project_name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->project_name_ref_.size());
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->project_version);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->project_version_ref_.size());
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_WEBSERVER
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->webserver_port);
@@ -155,16 +155,16 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->bluetooth_proxy_feature_flags);
 #endif
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->manufacturer);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->friendly_name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->manufacturer_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->friendly_name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_VOICE_ASSISTANT
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 2, this->voice_assistant_feature_flags);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_AREAS
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 2, this->suggested_area);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 2, this->suggested_area_ref_.size());
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 2, this->bluetooth_mac_address);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 2, this->bluetooth_mac_address_ref_.size());
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_NOISE
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 2, this->api_encryption_supported);
@@ -181,14 +181,14 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 }
 #ifdef USE_BINARY_SENSOR
 void ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->device_class_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->is_status_binary_sensor);
   buffer.encode_bool(7, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_uint32(9, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -196,14 +196,14 @@ void ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->is_status_binary_sensor);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -229,16 +229,16 @@ void BinarySensorStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_COVER
 void ListEntitiesCoverResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(5, this->assumed_state);
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->supports_position);
   buffer.encode_bool(7, this->supports_tilt);
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(9, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(10, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(10, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_uint32(11, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   buffer.encode_bool(12, this->supports_stop);
@@ -247,16 +247,16 @@ void ListEntitiesCoverResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesCoverResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->assumed_state);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_position);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_tilt);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_stop);
@@ -322,16 +322,16 @@ bool CoverCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_FAN
 void ListEntitiesFanResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(5, this->supports_oscillation);
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->supports_speed);
   buffer.encode_bool(7, this->supports_direction);
   buffer.encode_int32(8, this->supported_speed_count);
   buffer.encode_bool(9, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(10, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(10, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_uint32(11, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   for (auto &it : this->supported_preset_modes) {
@@ -342,16 +342,16 @@ void ListEntitiesFanResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesFanResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_oscillation);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_speed);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_direction);
   ProtoSize::add_int32_field(total_size, 1, this->supported_speed_count);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   if (!this->supported_preset_modes.empty()) {
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ void FanStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_bool(3, this->oscillating);
   buffer.encode_uint32(5, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->direction));
   buffer.encode_int32(6, this->speed_level);
-  buffer.encode_string(7, this->preset_mode);
+  buffer.encode_string(7, this->preset_mode_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(8, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ void FanStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->oscillating);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->direction));
   ProtoSize::add_int32_field(total_size, 1, this->speed_level);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->preset_mode);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->preset_mode_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -447,9 +447,9 @@ bool FanCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_LIGHT
 void ListEntitiesLightResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
   for (auto &it : this->supported_color_modes) {
     buffer.encode_uint32(12, static_cast<uint32_t>(it), true);
   }
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ void ListEntitiesLightResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   }
   buffer.encode_bool(13, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(14, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(14, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_uint32(15, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -468,9 +468,9 @@ void ListEntitiesLightResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesLightResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
   if (!this->supported_color_modes.empty()) {
     for (const auto &it : this->supported_color_modes) {
       ProtoSize::add_enum_field_repeated(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(it));
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ void ListEntitiesLightResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   }
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ void LightStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_float(8, this->color_temperature);
   buffer.encode_float(12, this->cold_white);
   buffer.encode_float(13, this->warm_white);
-  buffer.encode_string(9, this->effect);
+  buffer.encode_string(9, this->effect_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(14, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ void LightStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->color_temperature);
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->cold_white);
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->warm_white);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->effect);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->effect_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -638,16 +638,16 @@ bool LightCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_SENSOR
 void ListEntitiesSensorResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
-  buffer.encode_string(6, this->unit_of_measurement);
+  buffer.encode_string(6, this->unit_of_measurement_ref_);
   buffer.encode_int32(7, this->accuracy_decimals);
   buffer.encode_bool(8, this->force_update);
-  buffer.encode_string(9, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(9, this->device_class_ref_);
   buffer.encode_uint32(10, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->state_class));
   buffer.encode_bool(12, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(13, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -656,16 +656,16 @@ void ListEntitiesSensorResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesSensorResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->unit_of_measurement);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->unit_of_measurement_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_int32_field(total_size, 1, this->accuracy_decimals);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->force_update);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->state_class));
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -692,31 +692,31 @@ void SensorStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_SWITCH
 void ListEntitiesSwitchResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->assumed_state);
   buffer.encode_bool(7, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(8, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  buffer.encode_string(9, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(9, this->device_class_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(10, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesSwitchResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->assumed_state);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -763,36 +763,36 @@ bool SwitchCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_TEXT_SENSOR
 void ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(9, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void TextSensorStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_fixed32(1, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->state);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->state_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(3, this->missing_state);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(4, this->device_id);
@@ -800,7 +800,7 @@ void TextSensorStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 }
 void TextSensorStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->state);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->state_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->missing_state);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
@@ -845,15 +845,15 @@ void NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 }
 #endif
 void HomeassistantServiceMap::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->value);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->key_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->value_ref_);
 }
 void HomeassistantServiceMap::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->value);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->key_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->value_ref_.size());
 }
 void HomeassistantServiceResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->service);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->service_ref_);
   for (auto &it : this->data) {
     buffer.encode_message(2, it, true);
   }
@@ -866,20 +866,20 @@ void HomeassistantServiceResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_bool(5, this->is_event);
 }
 void HomeassistantServiceResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->service);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->service_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_repeated_message(total_size, 1, this->data);
   ProtoSize::add_repeated_message(total_size, 1, this->data_template);
   ProtoSize::add_repeated_message(total_size, 1, this->variables);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->is_event);
 }
 void SubscribeHomeAssistantStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->entity_id);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->attribute);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->entity_id_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->attribute_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(3, this->once);
 }
 void SubscribeHomeAssistantStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->entity_id);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->attribute);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->entity_id_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->attribute_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->once);
 }
 bool HomeAssistantStateResponse::decode_length(uint32_t field_id, ProtoLengthDelimited value) {
@@ -914,22 +914,22 @@ void GetTimeResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 }
 #ifdef USE_API_SERVICES
 void ListEntitiesServicesArgument::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->name_ref_);
   buffer.encode_uint32(2, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->type));
 }
 void ListEntitiesServicesArgument::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->type));
 }
 void ListEntitiesServicesResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->name_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
   for (auto &it : this->args) {
     buffer.encode_message(3, it, true);
   }
 }
 void ListEntitiesServicesResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
   ProtoSize::add_repeated_message(total_size, 1, this->args);
 }
@@ -1005,12 +1005,12 @@ bool ExecuteServiceRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_CAMERA
 void ListEntitiesCameraResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(5, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(6, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(6, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -1018,12 +1018,12 @@ void ListEntitiesCameraResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesCameraResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -1062,9 +1062,9 @@ bool CameraImageRequest::decode_varint(uint32_t field_id, ProtoVarInt value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_CLIMATE
 void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(5, this->supports_current_temperature);
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->supports_two_point_target_temperature);
   for (auto &it : this->supported_modes) {
@@ -1091,7 +1091,7 @@ void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   }
   buffer.encode_bool(18, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(19, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(19, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_uint32(20, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   buffer.encode_float(21, this->visual_current_temperature_step);
@@ -1104,9 +1104,9 @@ void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_current_temperature);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_two_point_target_temperature);
   if (!this->supported_modes.empty()) {
@@ -1145,7 +1145,7 @@ void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   }
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 2, this->disabled_by_default);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 2, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 2, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 2, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 2, this->visual_current_temperature_step);
@@ -1167,9 +1167,9 @@ void ClimateStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_uint32(8, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->action));
   buffer.encode_uint32(9, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->fan_mode));
   buffer.encode_uint32(10, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->swing_mode));
-  buffer.encode_string(11, this->custom_fan_mode);
+  buffer.encode_string(11, this->custom_fan_mode_ref_);
   buffer.encode_uint32(12, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->preset));
-  buffer.encode_string(13, this->custom_preset);
+  buffer.encode_string(13, this->custom_preset_ref_);
   buffer.encode_float(14, this->current_humidity);
   buffer.encode_float(15, this->target_humidity);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -1186,9 +1186,9 @@ void ClimateStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->action));
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->fan_mode));
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->swing_mode));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->custom_fan_mode);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->custom_fan_mode_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->preset));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->custom_preset);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->custom_preset_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->current_humidity);
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->target_humidity);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -1287,39 +1287,39 @@ bool ClimateCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_NUMBER
 void ListEntitiesNumberResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_float(6, this->min_value);
   buffer.encode_float(7, this->max_value);
   buffer.encode_float(8, this->step);
   buffer.encode_bool(9, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(10, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  buffer.encode_string(11, this->unit_of_measurement);
+  buffer.encode_string(11, this->unit_of_measurement_ref_);
   buffer.encode_uint32(12, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->mode));
-  buffer.encode_string(13, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(13, this->device_class_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(14, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesNumberResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->min_value);
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->max_value);
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->step);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->unit_of_measurement);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->unit_of_measurement_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->mode));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -1368,11 +1368,11 @@ bool NumberCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_SELECT
 void ListEntitiesSelectResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   for (auto &it : this->options) {
     buffer.encode_string(6, it, true);
@@ -1384,11 +1384,11 @@ void ListEntitiesSelectResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesSelectResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   if (!this->options.empty()) {
     for (const auto &it : this->options) {
@@ -1403,7 +1403,7 @@ void ListEntitiesSelectResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 }
 void SelectStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_fixed32(1, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->state);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->state_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(3, this->missing_state);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(4, this->device_id);
@@ -1411,7 +1411,7 @@ void SelectStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 }
 void SelectStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->state);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->state_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->missing_state);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
@@ -1452,11 +1452,11 @@ bool SelectCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_SIREN
 void ListEntitiesSirenResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   for (auto &it : this->tones) {
@@ -1470,11 +1470,11 @@ void ListEntitiesSirenResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesSirenResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   if (!this->tones.empty()) {
@@ -1559,35 +1559,35 @@ bool SirenCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_LOCK
 void ListEntitiesLockResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   buffer.encode_bool(8, this->assumed_state);
   buffer.encode_bool(9, this->supports_open);
   buffer.encode_bool(10, this->requires_code);
-  buffer.encode_string(11, this->code_format);
+  buffer.encode_string(11, this->code_format_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(12, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesLockResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->assumed_state);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_open);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->requires_code);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->code_format);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->code_format_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -1647,29 +1647,29 @@ bool LockCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BUTTON
 void ListEntitiesButtonResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(9, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesButtonResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -1699,25 +1699,25 @@ bool ButtonCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_MEDIA_PLAYER
 void MediaPlayerSupportedFormat::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->format);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->format_ref_);
   buffer.encode_uint32(2, this->sample_rate);
   buffer.encode_uint32(3, this->num_channels);
   buffer.encode_uint32(4, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->purpose));
   buffer.encode_uint32(5, this->sample_bytes);
 }
 void MediaPlayerSupportedFormat::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->format);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->format_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->sample_rate);
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->num_channels);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->purpose));
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->sample_bytes);
 }
 void ListEntitiesMediaPlayerResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -1730,11 +1730,11 @@ void ListEntitiesMediaPlayerResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesMediaPlayerResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2172,17 +2172,17 @@ void VoiceAssistantAudioSettings::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 }
 void VoiceAssistantRequest::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_bool(1, this->start);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->conversation_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->conversation_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_uint32(3, this->flags);
   buffer.encode_message(4, this->audio_settings);
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->wake_word_phrase);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->wake_word_phrase_ref_);
 }
 void VoiceAssistantRequest::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->start);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->conversation_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->conversation_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->flags);
   ProtoSize::add_message_object(total_size, 1, this->audio_settings);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->wake_word_phrase);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->wake_word_phrase_ref_.size());
 }
 bool VoiceAssistantResponse::decode_varint(uint32_t field_id, ProtoVarInt value) {
   switch (field_id) {
@@ -2322,15 +2322,15 @@ void VoiceAssistantAnnounceFinished::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->success);
 }
 void VoiceAssistantWakeWord::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->id);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->wake_word);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->id_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->wake_word_ref_);
   for (auto &it : this->trained_languages) {
     buffer.encode_string(3, it, true);
   }
 }
 void VoiceAssistantWakeWord::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->id);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->wake_word);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->id_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->wake_word_ref_.size());
   if (!this->trained_languages.empty()) {
     for (const auto &it : this->trained_languages) {
       ProtoSize::add_string_field_repeated(total_size, 1, it);
@@ -2368,11 +2368,11 @@ bool VoiceAssistantSetConfiguration::decode_length(uint32_t field_id, ProtoLengt
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_ALARM_CONTROL_PANEL
 void ListEntitiesAlarmControlPanelResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2384,11 +2384,11 @@ void ListEntitiesAlarmControlPanelResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) cons
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesAlarmControlPanelResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2451,34 +2451,34 @@ bool AlarmControlPanelCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_TEXT
 void ListEntitiesTextResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   buffer.encode_uint32(8, this->min_length);
   buffer.encode_uint32(9, this->max_length);
-  buffer.encode_string(10, this->pattern);
+  buffer.encode_string(10, this->pattern_ref_);
   buffer.encode_uint32(11, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->mode));
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(12, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesTextResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->min_length);
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->max_length);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->pattern);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->pattern_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->mode));
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
@@ -2486,7 +2486,7 @@ void ListEntitiesTextResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 }
 void TextStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_fixed32(1, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->state);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->state_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(3, this->missing_state);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(4, this->device_id);
@@ -2494,7 +2494,7 @@ void TextStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 }
 void TextStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->state);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->state_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->missing_state);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
@@ -2535,11 +2535,11 @@ bool TextCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_DATETIME_DATE
 void ListEntitiesDateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2548,11 +2548,11 @@ void ListEntitiesDateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesDateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2614,11 +2614,11 @@ bool DateCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_DATETIME_TIME
 void ListEntitiesTimeResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2627,11 +2627,11 @@ void ListEntitiesTimeResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesTimeResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2693,15 +2693,15 @@ bool TimeCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_EVENT
 void ListEntitiesEventResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class_ref_);
   for (auto &it : this->event_types) {
     buffer.encode_string(9, it, true);
   }
@@ -2710,15 +2710,15 @@ void ListEntitiesEventResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesEventResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
   if (!this->event_types.empty()) {
     for (const auto &it : this->event_types) {
       ProtoSize::add_string_field_repeated(total_size, 1, it);
@@ -2730,14 +2730,14 @@ void ListEntitiesEventResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 }
 void EventResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_fixed32(1, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(2, this->event_type);
+  buffer.encode_string(2, this->event_type_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(3, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void EventResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->event_type);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->event_type_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -2745,15 +2745,15 @@ void EventResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_VALVE
 void ListEntitiesValveResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class_ref_);
   buffer.encode_bool(9, this->assumed_state);
   buffer.encode_bool(10, this->supports_position);
   buffer.encode_bool(11, this->supports_stop);
@@ -2762,15 +2762,15 @@ void ListEntitiesValveResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesValveResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->assumed_state);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_position);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->supports_stop);
@@ -2828,11 +2828,11 @@ bool ValveCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_DATETIME_DATETIME
 void ListEntitiesDateTimeResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2841,11 +2841,11 @@ void ListEntitiesDateTimeResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesDateTimeResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
@@ -2897,29 +2897,29 @@ bool DateTimeCommandRequest::decode_32bit(uint32_t field_id, Proto32Bit value) {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_UPDATE
 void ListEntitiesUpdateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
-  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id);
+  buffer.encode_string(1, this->object_id_ref_);
   buffer.encode_fixed32(2, this->key);
-  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name);
+  buffer.encode_string(3, this->name_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon);
+  buffer.encode_string(5, this->icon_ref_);
 #endif
   buffer.encode_bool(6, this->disabled_by_default);
   buffer.encode_uint32(7, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->device_class_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(9, this->device_id);
 #endif
 }
 void ListEntitiesUpdateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->object_id_ref_.size());
   ProtoSize::add_fixed32_field(total_size, 1, this->key);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->name_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->icon_ref_.size());
 #endif
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->disabled_by_default);
   ProtoSize::add_enum_field(total_size, 1, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->entity_category));
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->device_class_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -2930,11 +2930,11 @@ void UpdateStateResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const {
   buffer.encode_bool(3, this->in_progress);
   buffer.encode_bool(4, this->has_progress);
   buffer.encode_float(5, this->progress);
-  buffer.encode_string(6, this->current_version);
-  buffer.encode_string(7, this->latest_version);
-  buffer.encode_string(8, this->title);
-  buffer.encode_string(9, this->release_summary);
-  buffer.encode_string(10, this->release_url);
+  buffer.encode_string(6, this->current_version_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(7, this->latest_version_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(8, this->title_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(9, this->release_summary_ref_);
+  buffer.encode_string(10, this->release_url_ref_);
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   buffer.encode_uint32(11, this->device_id);
 #endif
@@ -2945,11 +2945,11 @@ void UpdateStateResponse::calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const {
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->in_progress);
   ProtoSize::add_bool_field(total_size, 1, this->has_progress);
   ProtoSize::add_float_field(total_size, 1, this->progress);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->current_version);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->latest_version);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->title);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->release_summary);
-  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->release_url);
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->current_version_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->latest_version_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->title_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->release_summary_ref_.size());
+  ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, 1, this->release_url_ref_.size());
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   ProtoSize::add_uint32_field(total_size, 1, this->device_id);
 #endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
index 1d052f6114..9bf50fd18b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include "esphome/core/defines.h"
+#include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 #include "proto.h"
 
@@ -269,12 +270,15 @@ enum UpdateCommand : uint32_t {
 class InfoResponseProtoMessage : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
   ~InfoResponseProtoMessage() override = default;
-  std::string object_id{};
+  StringRef object_id_ref_{};
+  void set_object_id(const StringRef &ref) { this->object_id_ref_ = ref; }
   uint32_t key{0};
-  std::string name{};
+  StringRef name_ref_{};
+  void set_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->name_ref_ = ref; }
   bool disabled_by_default{false};
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  std::string icon{};
+  StringRef icon_ref_{};
+  void set_icon(const StringRef &ref) { this->icon_ref_ = ref; }
 #endif
   enums::EntityCategory entity_category{};
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -332,8 +336,10 @@ class HelloResponse : public ProtoMessage {
 #endif
   uint32_t api_version_major{0};
   uint32_t api_version_minor{0};
-  std::string server_info{};
-  std::string name{};
+  StringRef server_info_ref_{};
+  void set_server_info(const StringRef &ref) { this->server_info_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef name_ref_{};
+  void set_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->name_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -442,7 +448,8 @@ class DeviceInfoRequest : public ProtoDecodableMessage {
 class AreaInfo : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
   uint32_t area_id{0};
-  std::string name{};
+  StringRef name_ref_{};
+  void set_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->name_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -456,7 +463,8 @@ class AreaInfo : public ProtoMessage {
 class DeviceInfo : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
   uint32_t device_id{0};
-  std::string name{};
+  StringRef name_ref_{};
+  void set_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->name_ref_ = ref; }
   uint32_t area_id{0};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -477,19 +485,26 @@ class DeviceInfoResponse : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef USE_API_PASSWORD
   bool uses_password{false};
 #endif
-  std::string name{};
-  std::string mac_address{};
-  std::string esphome_version{};
-  std::string compilation_time{};
-  std::string model{};
+  StringRef name_ref_{};
+  void set_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->name_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef mac_address_ref_{};
+  void set_mac_address(const StringRef &ref) { this->mac_address_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef esphome_version_ref_{};
+  void set_esphome_version(const StringRef &ref) { this->esphome_version_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef compilation_time_ref_{};
+  void set_compilation_time(const StringRef &ref) { this->compilation_time_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef model_ref_{};
+  void set_model(const StringRef &ref) { this->model_ref_ = ref; }
 #ifdef USE_DEEP_SLEEP
   bool has_deep_sleep{false};
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
-  std::string project_name{};
+  StringRef project_name_ref_{};
+  void set_project_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->project_name_ref_ = ref; }
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
-  std::string project_version{};
+  StringRef project_version_ref_{};
+  void set_project_version(const StringRef &ref) { this->project_version_ref_ = ref; }
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_WEBSERVER
   uint32_t webserver_port{0};
@@ -497,16 +512,20 @@ class DeviceInfoResponse : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
   uint32_t bluetooth_proxy_feature_flags{0};
 #endif
-  std::string manufacturer{};
-  std::string friendly_name{};
+  StringRef manufacturer_ref_{};
+  void set_manufacturer(const StringRef &ref) { this->manufacturer_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef friendly_name_ref_{};
+  void set_friendly_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->friendly_name_ref_ = ref; }
 #ifdef USE_VOICE_ASSISTANT
   uint32_t voice_assistant_feature_flags{0};
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_AREAS
-  std::string suggested_area{};
+  StringRef suggested_area_ref_{};
+  void set_suggested_area(const StringRef &ref) { this->suggested_area_ref_ = ref; }
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
-  std::string bluetooth_mac_address{};
+  StringRef bluetooth_mac_address_ref_{};
+  void set_bluetooth_mac_address(const StringRef &ref) { this->bluetooth_mac_address_ref_ = ref; }
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_NOISE
   bool api_encryption_supported{false};
@@ -575,7 +594,8 @@ class ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_binary_sensor_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   bool is_status_binary_sensor{false};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -614,7 +634,8 @@ class ListEntitiesCoverResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
   bool assumed_state{false};
   bool supports_position{false};
   bool supports_tilt{false};
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   bool supports_stop{false};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -695,7 +716,8 @@ class FanStateResponse : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
   bool oscillating{false};
   enums::FanDirection direction{};
   int32_t speed_level{0};
-  std::string preset_mode{};
+  StringRef preset_mode_ref_{};
+  void set_preset_mode(const StringRef &ref) { this->preset_mode_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -769,7 +791,8 @@ class LightStateResponse : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
   float color_temperature{0.0f};
   float cold_white{0.0f};
   float warm_white{0.0f};
-  std::string effect{};
+  StringRef effect_ref_{};
+  void set_effect(const StringRef &ref) { this->effect_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -829,10 +852,12 @@ class ListEntitiesSensorResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_sensor_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string unit_of_measurement{};
+  StringRef unit_of_measurement_ref_{};
+  void set_unit_of_measurement(const StringRef &ref) { this->unit_of_measurement_ref_ = ref; }
   int32_t accuracy_decimals{0};
   bool force_update{false};
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   enums::SensorStateClass state_class{};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -869,7 +894,8 @@ class ListEntitiesSwitchResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_switch_response"; }
 #endif
   bool assumed_state{false};
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -919,7 +945,8 @@ class ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_text_sensor_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -935,7 +962,8 @@ class TextSensorStateResponse : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "text_sensor_state_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string state{};
+  StringRef state_ref_{};
+  void set_state(const StringRef &ref) { this->state_ref_ = ref; }
   bool missing_state{false};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -1032,8 +1060,10 @@ class SubscribeHomeassistantServicesRequest : public ProtoDecodableMessage {
 };
 class HomeassistantServiceMap : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  std::string key{};
-  std::string value{};
+  StringRef key_ref_{};
+  void set_key(const StringRef &ref) { this->key_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef value_ref_{};
+  void set_value(const StringRef &ref) { this->value_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -1049,7 +1079,8 @@ class HomeassistantServiceResponse : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "homeassistant_service_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string service{};
+  StringRef service_ref_{};
+  void set_service(const StringRef &ref) { this->service_ref_ = ref; }
   std::vector<HomeassistantServiceMap> data{};
   std::vector<HomeassistantServiceMap> data_template{};
   std::vector<HomeassistantServiceMap> variables{};
@@ -1082,8 +1113,10 @@ class SubscribeHomeAssistantStateResponse : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "subscribe_home_assistant_state_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string entity_id{};
-  std::string attribute{};
+  StringRef entity_id_ref_{};
+  void set_entity_id(const StringRef &ref) { this->entity_id_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef attribute_ref_{};
+  void set_attribute(const StringRef &ref) { this->attribute_ref_ = ref; }
   bool once{false};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -1143,7 +1176,8 @@ class GetTimeResponse : public ProtoDecodableMessage {
 #ifdef USE_API_SERVICES
 class ListEntitiesServicesArgument : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  std::string name{};
+  StringRef name_ref_{};
+  void set_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->name_ref_ = ref; }
   enums::ServiceArgType type{};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -1160,7 +1194,8 @@ class ListEntitiesServicesResponse : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_services_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string name{};
+  StringRef name_ref_{};
+  void set_name(const StringRef &ref) { this->name_ref_ = ref; }
   uint32_t key{0};
   std::vector<ListEntitiesServicesArgument> args{};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
@@ -1312,9 +1347,11 @@ class ClimateStateResponse : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
   enums::ClimateAction action{};
   enums::ClimateFanMode fan_mode{};
   enums::ClimateSwingMode swing_mode{};
-  std::string custom_fan_mode{};
+  StringRef custom_fan_mode_ref_{};
+  void set_custom_fan_mode(const StringRef &ref) { this->custom_fan_mode_ref_ = ref; }
   enums::ClimatePreset preset{};
-  std::string custom_preset{};
+  StringRef custom_preset_ref_{};
+  void set_custom_preset(const StringRef &ref) { this->custom_preset_ref_ = ref; }
   float current_humidity{0.0f};
   float target_humidity{0.0f};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
@@ -1373,9 +1410,11 @@ class ListEntitiesNumberResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
   float min_value{0.0f};
   float max_value{0.0f};
   float step{0.0f};
-  std::string unit_of_measurement{};
+  StringRef unit_of_measurement_ref_{};
+  void set_unit_of_measurement(const StringRef &ref) { this->unit_of_measurement_ref_ = ref; }
   enums::NumberMode mode{};
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -1442,7 +1481,8 @@ class SelectStateResponse : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "select_state_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string state{};
+  StringRef state_ref_{};
+  void set_state(const StringRef &ref) { this->state_ref_ = ref; }
   bool missing_state{false};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -1541,7 +1581,8 @@ class ListEntitiesLockResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
   bool assumed_state{false};
   bool supports_open{false};
   bool requires_code{false};
-  std::string code_format{};
+  StringRef code_format_ref_{};
+  void set_code_format(const StringRef &ref) { this->code_format_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -1594,7 +1635,8 @@ class ListEntitiesButtonResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_button_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -1622,7 +1664,8 @@ class ButtonCommandRequest : public CommandProtoMessage {
 #ifdef USE_MEDIA_PLAYER
 class MediaPlayerSupportedFormat : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  std::string format{};
+  StringRef format_ref_{};
+  void set_format(const StringRef &ref) { this->format_ref_ = ref; }
   uint32_t sample_rate{0};
   uint32_t num_channels{0};
   enums::MediaPlayerFormatPurpose purpose{};
@@ -2219,10 +2262,12 @@ class VoiceAssistantRequest : public ProtoMessage {
   const char *message_name() const override { return "voice_assistant_request"; }
 #endif
   bool start{false};
-  std::string conversation_id{};
+  StringRef conversation_id_ref_{};
+  void set_conversation_id(const StringRef &ref) { this->conversation_id_ref_ = ref; }
   uint32_t flags{0};
   VoiceAssistantAudioSettings audio_settings{};
-  std::string wake_word_phrase{};
+  StringRef wake_word_phrase_ref_{};
+  void set_wake_word_phrase(const StringRef &ref) { this->wake_word_phrase_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -2358,8 +2403,10 @@ class VoiceAssistantAnnounceFinished : public ProtoMessage {
 };
 class VoiceAssistantWakeWord : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  std::string id{};
-  std::string wake_word{};
+  StringRef id_ref_{};
+  void set_id(const StringRef &ref) { this->id_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef wake_word_ref_{};
+  void set_wake_word(const StringRef &ref) { this->wake_word_ref_ = ref; }
   std::vector<std::string> trained_languages{};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -2480,7 +2527,8 @@ class ListEntitiesTextResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #endif
   uint32_t min_length{0};
   uint32_t max_length{0};
-  std::string pattern{};
+  StringRef pattern_ref_{};
+  void set_pattern(const StringRef &ref) { this->pattern_ref_ = ref; }
   enums::TextMode mode{};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -2497,7 +2545,8 @@ class TextStateResponse : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "text_state_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string state{};
+  StringRef state_ref_{};
+  void set_state(const StringRef &ref) { this->state_ref_ = ref; }
   bool missing_state{false};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -2641,7 +2690,8 @@ class ListEntitiesEventResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_event_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   std::vector<std::string> event_types{};
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
@@ -2658,7 +2708,8 @@ class EventResponse : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "event_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string event_type{};
+  StringRef event_type_ref_{};
+  void set_event_type(const StringRef &ref) { this->event_type_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -2676,7 +2727,8 @@ class ListEntitiesValveResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_valve_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   bool assumed_state{false};
   bool supports_position{false};
   bool supports_stop{false};
@@ -2782,7 +2834,8 @@ class ListEntitiesUpdateResponse : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const char *message_name() const override { return "list_entities_update_response"; }
 #endif
-  std::string device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class_ref_{};
+  void set_device_class(const StringRef &ref) { this->device_class_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
@@ -2802,11 +2855,16 @@ class UpdateStateResponse : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
   bool in_progress{false};
   bool has_progress{false};
   float progress{0.0f};
-  std::string current_version{};
-  std::string latest_version{};
-  std::string title{};
-  std::string release_summary{};
-  std::string release_url{};
+  StringRef current_version_ref_{};
+  void set_current_version(const StringRef &ref) { this->current_version_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef latest_version_ref_{};
+  void set_latest_version(const StringRef &ref) { this->latest_version_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef title_ref_{};
+  void set_title(const StringRef &ref) { this->title_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef release_summary_ref_{};
+  void set_release_summary(const StringRef &ref) { this->release_summary_ref_ = ref; }
+  StringRef release_url_ref_{};
+  void set_release_url(const StringRef &ref) { this->release_url_ref_ = ref; }
   void encode(ProtoWriteBuffer buffer) const override;
   void calculate_size(uint32_t &total_size) const override;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
index 03852bd365..4e44bff11e 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,15 @@
 namespace esphome {
 namespace api {
 
+// Helper function to append a quoted string, handling empty StringRef
+static inline void append_quoted_string(std::string &out, const StringRef &ref) {
+  out.append("'");
+  if (!ref.empty()) {
+    out.append(ref.c_str());
+  }
+  out.append("'");
+}
+
 template<> const char *proto_enum_to_string<enums::EntityCategory>(enums::EntityCategory value) {
   switch (value) {
     case enums::ENTITY_CATEGORY_NONE:
@@ -580,11 +589,11 @@ void HelloResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  server_info: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->server_info).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->server_info_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
   out.append("}");
 }
@@ -619,7 +628,7 @@ void AreaInfo::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
   out.append("}");
 }
@@ -634,7 +643,7 @@ void DeviceInfo::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  area_id: ");
@@ -654,23 +663,23 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
 #endif
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  mac_address: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->mac_address).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->mac_address_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  esphome_version: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->esphome_version).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->esphome_version_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  compilation_time: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->compilation_time).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->compilation_time_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  model: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->model).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->model_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEEP_SLEEP
@@ -681,13 +690,13 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
   out.append("  project_name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->project_name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->project_name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
 #ifdef ESPHOME_PROJECT_NAME
   out.append("  project_version: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->project_version).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->project_version_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -706,11 +715,11 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
 #endif
   out.append("  manufacturer: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->manufacturer).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->manufacturer_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  friendly_name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->friendly_name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->friendly_name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_VOICE_ASSISTANT
@@ -722,13 +731,13 @@ void DeviceInfoResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_AREAS
   out.append("  suggested_area: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->suggested_area).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->suggested_area_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
   out.append("  bluetooth_mac_address: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->bluetooth_mac_address).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->bluetooth_mac_address_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -770,7 +779,7 @@ void ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -779,11 +788,11 @@ void ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  is_status_binary_sensor: ");
@@ -796,7 +805,7 @@ void ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -844,7 +853,7 @@ void ListEntitiesCoverResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesCoverResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -853,7 +862,7 @@ void ListEntitiesCoverResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  assumed_state: ");
@@ -869,7 +878,7 @@ void ListEntitiesCoverResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  disabled_by_default: ");
@@ -878,7 +887,7 @@ void ListEntitiesCoverResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -975,7 +984,7 @@ void ListEntitiesFanResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesFanResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -984,7 +993,7 @@ void ListEntitiesFanResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  supports_oscillation: ");
@@ -1010,7 +1019,7 @@ void ListEntitiesFanResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -1020,7 +1029,7 @@ void ListEntitiesFanResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
   for (const auto &it : this->supported_preset_modes) {
     out.append("  supported_preset_modes: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
 
@@ -1059,7 +1068,7 @@ void FanStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  preset_mode: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->preset_mode).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->preset_mode_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -1135,7 +1144,7 @@ void ListEntitiesLightResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesLightResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -1144,7 +1153,7 @@ void ListEntitiesLightResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   for (const auto &it : this->supported_color_modes) {
@@ -1165,7 +1174,7 @@ void ListEntitiesLightResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
   for (const auto &it : this->effects) {
     out.append("  effects: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
 
@@ -1175,7 +1184,7 @@ void ListEntitiesLightResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -1254,7 +1263,7 @@ void LightStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  effect: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->effect).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->effect_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -1404,7 +1413,7 @@ void ListEntitiesSensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesSensorResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -1413,17 +1422,17 @@ void ListEntitiesSensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
   out.append("  unit_of_measurement: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->unit_of_measurement).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->unit_of_measurement_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  accuracy_decimals: ");
@@ -1436,7 +1445,7 @@ void ListEntitiesSensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  state_class: ");
@@ -1492,7 +1501,7 @@ void ListEntitiesSwitchResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesSwitchResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -1501,12 +1510,12 @@ void ListEntitiesSwitchResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -1523,7 +1532,7 @@ void ListEntitiesSwitchResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -1583,7 +1592,7 @@ void ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -1592,12 +1601,12 @@ void ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -1610,7 +1619,7 @@ void ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -1631,7 +1640,7 @@ void TextSensorStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  state: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->state).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->state_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  missing_state: ");
@@ -1697,11 +1706,11 @@ void HomeassistantServiceMap::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("HomeassistantServiceMap {\n");
   out.append("  key: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->key).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->key_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  value: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->value).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->value_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
   out.append("}");
 }
@@ -1709,7 +1718,7 @@ void HomeassistantServiceResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("HomeassistantServiceResponse {\n");
   out.append("  service: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->service).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->service_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   for (const auto &it : this->data) {
@@ -1742,11 +1751,11 @@ void SubscribeHomeAssistantStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("SubscribeHomeAssistantStateResponse {\n");
   out.append("  entity_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->entity_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->entity_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  attribute: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->attribute).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->attribute_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  once: ");
@@ -1785,7 +1794,7 @@ void ListEntitiesServicesArgument::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesServicesArgument {\n");
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  type: ");
@@ -1797,7 +1806,7 @@ void ListEntitiesServicesResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesServicesResponse {\n");
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -1860,7 +1869,7 @@ void ExecuteServiceArgument::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
   for (const auto &it : this->string_array) {
     out.append("  string_array: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
   out.append("}");
@@ -1886,7 +1895,7 @@ void ListEntitiesCameraResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesCameraResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -1895,7 +1904,7 @@ void ListEntitiesCameraResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  disabled_by_default: ");
@@ -1904,7 +1913,7 @@ void ListEntitiesCameraResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -1964,7 +1973,7 @@ void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesClimateResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -1973,7 +1982,7 @@ void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  supports_current_temperature: ");
@@ -2023,7 +2032,7 @@ void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
   for (const auto &it : this->supported_custom_fan_modes) {
     out.append("  supported_custom_fan_modes: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
 
@@ -2035,7 +2044,7 @@ void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
   for (const auto &it : this->supported_custom_presets) {
     out.append("  supported_custom_presets: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
 
@@ -2045,7 +2054,7 @@ void ListEntitiesClimateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -2130,7 +2139,7 @@ void ClimateStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  custom_fan_mode: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->custom_fan_mode).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->custom_fan_mode_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  preset: ");
@@ -2138,7 +2147,7 @@ void ClimateStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  custom_preset: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->custom_preset).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->custom_preset_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  current_humidity: ");
@@ -2267,7 +2276,7 @@ void ListEntitiesNumberResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesNumberResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -2276,12 +2285,12 @@ void ListEntitiesNumberResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -2309,7 +2318,7 @@ void ListEntitiesNumberResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  unit_of_measurement: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->unit_of_measurement).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->unit_of_measurement_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  mode: ");
@@ -2317,7 +2326,7 @@ void ListEntitiesNumberResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -2383,7 +2392,7 @@ void ListEntitiesSelectResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesSelectResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -2392,18 +2401,18 @@ void ListEntitiesSelectResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
   for (const auto &it : this->options) {
     out.append("  options: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
 
@@ -2433,7 +2442,7 @@ void SelectStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  state: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->state).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->state_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  missing_state: ");
@@ -2476,7 +2485,7 @@ void ListEntitiesSirenResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesSirenResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -2485,12 +2494,12 @@ void ListEntitiesSirenResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -2500,7 +2509,7 @@ void ListEntitiesSirenResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
   for (const auto &it : this->tones) {
     out.append("  tones: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
 
@@ -2603,7 +2612,7 @@ void ListEntitiesLockResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesLockResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -2612,12 +2621,12 @@ void ListEntitiesLockResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -2642,7 +2651,7 @@ void ListEntitiesLockResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  code_format: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->code_format).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->code_format_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -2710,7 +2719,7 @@ void ListEntitiesButtonResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesButtonResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -2719,12 +2728,12 @@ void ListEntitiesButtonResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -2737,7 +2746,7 @@ void ListEntitiesButtonResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -2772,7 +2781,7 @@ void MediaPlayerSupportedFormat::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("MediaPlayerSupportedFormat {\n");
   out.append("  format: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->format).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->format_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  sample_rate: ");
@@ -2799,7 +2808,7 @@ void ListEntitiesMediaPlayerResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesMediaPlayerResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -2808,12 +2817,12 @@ void ListEntitiesMediaPlayerResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -3423,7 +3432,7 @@ void VoiceAssistantRequest::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  conversation_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->conversation_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->conversation_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  flags: ");
@@ -3436,7 +3445,7 @@ void VoiceAssistantRequest::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  wake_word_phrase: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->wake_word_phrase).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->wake_word_phrase_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
   out.append("}");
 }
@@ -3557,16 +3566,16 @@ void VoiceAssistantWakeWord::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("VoiceAssistantWakeWord {\n");
   out.append("  id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  wake_word: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->wake_word).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->wake_word_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   for (const auto &it : this->trained_languages) {
     out.append("  trained_languages: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
   out.append("}");
@@ -3585,7 +3594,7 @@ void VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
 
   for (const auto &it : this->active_wake_words) {
     out.append("  active_wake_words: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
 
@@ -3600,7 +3609,7 @@ void VoiceAssistantSetConfiguration::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("VoiceAssistantSetConfiguration {\n");
   for (const auto &it : this->active_wake_words) {
     out.append("  active_wake_words: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
   out.append("}");
@@ -3611,7 +3620,7 @@ void ListEntitiesAlarmControlPanelResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesAlarmControlPanelResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -3620,12 +3629,12 @@ void ListEntitiesAlarmControlPanelResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -3711,7 +3720,7 @@ void ListEntitiesTextResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesTextResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -3720,12 +3729,12 @@ void ListEntitiesTextResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -3748,7 +3757,7 @@ void ListEntitiesTextResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  pattern: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->pattern).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->pattern_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  mode: ");
@@ -3773,7 +3782,7 @@ void TextStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  state: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->state).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->state_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  missing_state: ");
@@ -3816,7 +3825,7 @@ void ListEntitiesDateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesDateResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -3825,12 +3834,12 @@ void ListEntitiesDateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -3925,7 +3934,7 @@ void ListEntitiesTimeResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesTimeResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -3934,12 +3943,12 @@ void ListEntitiesTimeResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -4034,7 +4043,7 @@ void ListEntitiesEventResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesEventResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -4043,12 +4052,12 @@ void ListEntitiesEventResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -4061,12 +4070,12 @@ void ListEntitiesEventResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   for (const auto &it : this->event_types) {
     out.append("  event_types: ");
-    out.append("'").append(it).append("'");
+    append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));
     out.append("\n");
   }
 
@@ -4088,7 +4097,7 @@ void EventResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  event_type: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->event_type).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->event_type_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -4106,7 +4115,7 @@ void ListEntitiesValveResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesValveResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -4115,12 +4124,12 @@ void ListEntitiesValveResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -4133,7 +4142,7 @@ void ListEntitiesValveResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  assumed_state: ");
@@ -4219,7 +4228,7 @@ void ListEntitiesDateTimeResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesDateTimeResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -4228,12 +4237,12 @@ void ListEntitiesDateTimeResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -4308,7 +4317,7 @@ void ListEntitiesUpdateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   __attribute__((unused)) char buffer[64];
   out.append("ListEntitiesUpdateResponse {\n");
   out.append("  object_id: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->object_id).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->object_id_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  key: ");
@@ -4317,12 +4326,12 @@ void ListEntitiesUpdateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  name: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->name).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->name_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
   out.append("  icon: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->icon).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->icon_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #endif
@@ -4335,7 +4344,7 @@ void ListEntitiesUpdateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  device_class: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->device_class).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->device_class_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -4373,23 +4382,23 @@ void UpdateStateResponse::dump_to(std::string &out) const {
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  current_version: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->current_version).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->current_version_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  latest_version: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->latest_version).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->latest_version_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  title: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->title).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->title_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  release_summary: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->release_summary).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->release_summary_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
   out.append("  release_url: ");
-  out.append("'").append(this->release_url).append("'");
+  append_quoted_string(out, this->release_url_ref_);
   out.append("\n");
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_service.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_service.cpp
index 888dc16836..498c396ae3 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_service.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_service.cpp
@@ -597,33 +597,28 @@ void APIServerConnectionBase::read_message(uint32_t msg_size, uint32_t msg_type,
 }
 
 void APIServerConnection::on_hello_request(const HelloRequest &msg) {
-  HelloResponse ret = this->hello(msg);
-  if (!this->send_message(ret, HelloResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+  if (!this->send_hello_response(msg)) {
     this->on_fatal_error();
   }
 }
 void APIServerConnection::on_connect_request(const ConnectRequest &msg) {
-  ConnectResponse ret = this->connect(msg);
-  if (!this->send_message(ret, ConnectResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+  if (!this->send_connect_response(msg)) {
     this->on_fatal_error();
   }
 }
 void APIServerConnection::on_disconnect_request(const DisconnectRequest &msg) {
-  DisconnectResponse ret = this->disconnect(msg);
-  if (!this->send_message(ret, DisconnectResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+  if (!this->send_disconnect_response(msg)) {
     this->on_fatal_error();
   }
 }
 void APIServerConnection::on_ping_request(const PingRequest &msg) {
-  PingResponse ret = this->ping(msg);
-  if (!this->send_message(ret, PingResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+  if (!this->send_ping_response(msg)) {
     this->on_fatal_error();
   }
 }
 void APIServerConnection::on_device_info_request(const DeviceInfoRequest &msg) {
   if (this->check_connection_setup_()) {
-    DeviceInfoResponse ret = this->device_info(msg);
-    if (!this->send_message(ret, DeviceInfoResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+    if (!this->send_device_info_response(msg)) {
       this->on_fatal_error();
     }
   }
@@ -656,8 +651,7 @@ void APIServerConnection::on_subscribe_home_assistant_states_request(const Subsc
 }
 void APIServerConnection::on_get_time_request(const GetTimeRequest &msg) {
   if (this->check_connection_setup_()) {
-    GetTimeResponse ret = this->get_time(msg);
-    if (!this->send_message(ret, GetTimeResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+    if (!this->send_get_time_response(msg)) {
       this->on_fatal_error();
     }
   }
@@ -672,8 +666,7 @@ void APIServerConnection::on_execute_service_request(const ExecuteServiceRequest
 #ifdef USE_API_NOISE
 void APIServerConnection::on_noise_encryption_set_key_request(const NoiseEncryptionSetKeyRequest &msg) {
   if (this->check_authenticated_()) {
-    NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse ret = this->noise_encryption_set_key(msg);
-    if (!this->send_message(ret, NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+    if (!this->send_noise_encryption_set_key_response(msg)) {
       this->on_fatal_error();
     }
   }
@@ -866,8 +859,7 @@ void APIServerConnection::on_bluetooth_gatt_notify_request(const BluetoothGATTNo
 void APIServerConnection::on_subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free_request(
     const SubscribeBluetoothConnectionsFreeRequest &msg) {
   if (this->check_authenticated_()) {
-    BluetoothConnectionsFreeResponse ret = this->subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free(msg);
-    if (!this->send_message(ret, BluetoothConnectionsFreeResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+    if (!this->send_subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free_response(msg)) {
       this->on_fatal_error();
     }
   }
@@ -898,8 +890,7 @@ void APIServerConnection::on_subscribe_voice_assistant_request(const SubscribeVo
 #ifdef USE_VOICE_ASSISTANT
 void APIServerConnection::on_voice_assistant_configuration_request(const VoiceAssistantConfigurationRequest &msg) {
   if (this->check_authenticated_()) {
-    VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse ret = this->voice_assistant_get_configuration(msg);
-    if (!this->send_message(ret, VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {
+    if (!this->send_voice_assistant_get_configuration_response(msg)) {
       this->on_fatal_error();
     }
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_service.h b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_service.h
index f7076a28ca..f06ebdf9d5 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_service.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_service.h
@@ -207,22 +207,22 @@ class APIServerConnectionBase : public ProtoService {
 
 class APIServerConnection : public APIServerConnectionBase {
  public:
-  virtual HelloResponse hello(const HelloRequest &msg) = 0;
-  virtual ConnectResponse connect(const ConnectRequest &msg) = 0;
-  virtual DisconnectResponse disconnect(const DisconnectRequest &msg) = 0;
-  virtual PingResponse ping(const PingRequest &msg) = 0;
-  virtual DeviceInfoResponse device_info(const DeviceInfoRequest &msg) = 0;
+  virtual bool send_hello_response(const HelloRequest &msg) = 0;
+  virtual bool send_connect_response(const ConnectRequest &msg) = 0;
+  virtual bool send_disconnect_response(const DisconnectRequest &msg) = 0;
+  virtual bool send_ping_response(const PingRequest &msg) = 0;
+  virtual bool send_device_info_response(const DeviceInfoRequest &msg) = 0;
   virtual void list_entities(const ListEntitiesRequest &msg) = 0;
   virtual void subscribe_states(const SubscribeStatesRequest &msg) = 0;
   virtual void subscribe_logs(const SubscribeLogsRequest &msg) = 0;
   virtual void subscribe_homeassistant_services(const SubscribeHomeassistantServicesRequest &msg) = 0;
   virtual void subscribe_home_assistant_states(const SubscribeHomeAssistantStatesRequest &msg) = 0;
-  virtual GetTimeResponse get_time(const GetTimeRequest &msg) = 0;
+  virtual bool send_get_time_response(const GetTimeRequest &msg) = 0;
 #ifdef USE_API_SERVICES
   virtual void execute_service(const ExecuteServiceRequest &msg) = 0;
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_NOISE
-  virtual NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse noise_encryption_set_key(const NoiseEncryptionSetKeyRequest &msg) = 0;
+  virtual bool send_noise_encryption_set_key_response(const NoiseEncryptionSetKeyRequest &msg) = 0;
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BUTTON
   virtual void button_command(const ButtonCommandRequest &msg) = 0;
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ class APIServerConnection : public APIServerConnectionBase {
   virtual void bluetooth_gatt_notify(const BluetoothGATTNotifyRequest &msg) = 0;
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
-  virtual BluetoothConnectionsFreeResponse subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free(
+  virtual bool send_subscribe_bluetooth_connections_free_response(
       const SubscribeBluetoothConnectionsFreeRequest &msg) = 0;
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
@@ -316,8 +316,7 @@ class APIServerConnection : public APIServerConnectionBase {
   virtual void subscribe_voice_assistant(const SubscribeVoiceAssistantRequest &msg) = 0;
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_VOICE_ASSISTANT
-  virtual VoiceAssistantConfigurationResponse voice_assistant_get_configuration(
-      const VoiceAssistantConfigurationRequest &msg) = 0;
+  virtual bool send_voice_assistant_get_configuration_response(const VoiceAssistantConfigurationRequest &msg) = 0;
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_VOICE_ASSISTANT
   virtual void voice_assistant_set_configuration(const VoiceAssistantSetConfiguration &msg) = 0;
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/custom_api_device.h b/esphome/components/api/custom_api_device.h
index 35329c4a5e..6375dbfb9f 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/custom_api_device.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/custom_api_device.h
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ class CustomAPIDevice {
    */
   void call_homeassistant_service(const std::string &service_name) {
     HomeassistantServiceResponse resp;
-    resp.service = service_name;
+    resp.set_service(StringRef(service_name));
     global_api_server->send_homeassistant_service_call(resp);
   }
 
@@ -168,12 +168,12 @@ class CustomAPIDevice {
    */
   void call_homeassistant_service(const std::string &service_name, const std::map<std::string, std::string> &data) {
     HomeassistantServiceResponse resp;
-    resp.service = service_name;
+    resp.set_service(StringRef(service_name));
     for (auto &it : data) {
-      HomeassistantServiceMap kv;
-      kv.key = it.first;
-      kv.value = it.second;
-      resp.data.push_back(kv);
+      resp.data.emplace_back();
+      auto &kv = resp.data.back();
+      kv.set_key(StringRef(it.first));
+      kv.set_value(StringRef(it.second));
     }
     global_api_server->send_homeassistant_service_call(resp);
   }
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ class CustomAPIDevice {
    */
   void fire_homeassistant_event(const std::string &event_name) {
     HomeassistantServiceResponse resp;
-    resp.service = event_name;
+    resp.set_service(StringRef(event_name));
     resp.is_event = true;
     global_api_server->send_homeassistant_service_call(resp);
   }
@@ -210,13 +210,13 @@ class CustomAPIDevice {
    */
   void fire_homeassistant_event(const std::string &service_name, const std::map<std::string, std::string> &data) {
     HomeassistantServiceResponse resp;
-    resp.service = service_name;
+    resp.set_service(StringRef(service_name));
     resp.is_event = true;
     for (auto &it : data) {
-      HomeassistantServiceMap kv;
-      kv.key = it.first;
-      kv.value = it.second;
-      resp.data.push_back(kv);
+      resp.data.emplace_back();
+      auto &kv = resp.data.back();
+      kv.set_key(StringRef(it.first));
+      kv.set_value(StringRef(it.second));
     }
     global_api_server->send_homeassistant_service_call(resp);
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h b/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
index f765f1f806..4980c0224c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
@@ -59,25 +59,29 @@ template<typename... Ts> class HomeAssistantServiceCallAction : public Action<Ts
 
   void play(Ts... x) override {
     HomeassistantServiceResponse resp;
-    resp.service = this->service_.value(x...);
+    std::string service_value = this->service_.value(x...);
+    resp.set_service(StringRef(service_value));
     resp.is_event = this->is_event_;
     for (auto &it : this->data_) {
-      HomeassistantServiceMap kv;
-      kv.key = it.key;
-      kv.value = it.value.value(x...);
-      resp.data.push_back(kv);
+      resp.data.emplace_back();
+      auto &kv = resp.data.back();
+      kv.set_key(StringRef(it.key));
+      std::string value = it.value.value(x...);
+      kv.set_value(StringRef(value));
     }
     for (auto &it : this->data_template_) {
-      HomeassistantServiceMap kv;
-      kv.key = it.key;
-      kv.value = it.value.value(x...);
-      resp.data_template.push_back(kv);
+      resp.data_template.emplace_back();
+      auto &kv = resp.data_template.back();
+      kv.set_key(StringRef(it.key));
+      std::string value = it.value.value(x...);
+      kv.set_value(StringRef(value));
     }
     for (auto &it : this->variables_) {
-      HomeassistantServiceMap kv;
-      kv.key = it.key;
-      kv.value = it.value.value(x...);
-      resp.variables.push_back(kv);
+      resp.variables.emplace_back();
+      auto &kv = resp.variables.back();
+      kv.set_key(StringRef(it.key));
+      std::string value = it.value.value(x...);
+      kv.set_value(StringRef(value));
     }
     this->parent_->send_homeassistant_service_call(resp);
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/proto.h b/esphome/components/api/proto.h
index 6ae4556cc1..3e59ee1541 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/proto.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/proto.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "esphome/core/component.h"
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 #include <cassert>
 #include <cstring>
@@ -15,6 +16,37 @@
 namespace esphome {
 namespace api {
 
+/*
+ * StringRef Ownership Model for API Protocol Messages
+ * ===================================================
+ *
+ * StringRef is used for zero-copy string handling in outgoing (SOURCE_SERVER) messages.
+ * It holds a pointer and length to existing string data without copying.
+ *
+ * CRITICAL: The referenced string data MUST remain valid until message encoding completes.
+ *
+ * Safe StringRef Patterns:
+ * 1. String literals: StringRef("literal") - Always safe (static storage duration)
+ * 2. Member variables: StringRef(this->member_string_) - Safe if object outlives encoding
+ * 3. Global/static strings: StringRef(GLOBAL_CONSTANT) - Always safe
+ * 4. Local variables: Safe ONLY if encoding happens before function returns:
+ *    std::string temp = compute_value();
+ *    msg.set_field(StringRef(temp));
+ *    return this->send_message(msg);  // temp is valid during encoding
+ *
+ * Unsafe Patterns (WILL cause crashes/corruption):
+ * 1. Temporaries: msg.set_field(StringRef(obj.get_string())) // get_string() returns by value
+ * 2. Optional values: msg.set_field(StringRef(optional.value())) // value() returns a copy
+ * 3. Concatenation: msg.set_field(StringRef(str1 + str2)) // Result is temporary
+ *
+ * For unsafe patterns, store in a local variable first:
+ *    std::string temp = optional.value();  // or get_string() or str1 + str2
+ *    msg.set_field(StringRef(temp));
+ *
+ * The send_*_response pattern ensures proper lifetime management by encoding
+ * within the same function scope where temporaries are created.
+ */
+
 /// Representation of a VarInt - in ProtoBuf should be 64bit but we only use 32bit
 class ProtoVarInt {
  public:
@@ -218,6 +250,9 @@ class ProtoWriteBuffer {
   void encode_string(uint32_t field_id, const std::string &value, bool force = false) {
     this->encode_string(field_id, value.data(), value.size(), force);
   }
+  void encode_string(uint32_t field_id, const StringRef &ref, bool force = false) {
+    this->encode_string(field_id, ref.c_str(), ref.size(), force);
+  }
   void encode_bytes(uint32_t field_id, const uint8_t *data, size_t len, bool force = false) {
     this->encode_string(field_id, reinterpret_cast<const char *>(data), len, force);
   }
@@ -669,17 +704,16 @@ class ProtoSize {
   // sint64 type is not supported by ESPHome API to reduce overhead on embedded systems
 
   /**
-   * @brief Calculates and adds the size of a string/bytes field to the total message size
+   * @brief Calculates and adds the size of a string field using length
    */
-  static inline void add_string_field(uint32_t &total_size, uint32_t field_id_size, const std::string &str) {
+  static inline void add_string_field(uint32_t &total_size, uint32_t field_id_size, size_t len) {
     // Skip calculation if string is empty
-    if (str.empty()) {
+    if (len == 0) {
       return;  // No need to update total_size
     }
 
-    // Calculate and directly add to total_size
-    const uint32_t str_size = static_cast<uint32_t>(str.size());
-    total_size += field_id_size + varint(str_size) + str_size;
+    // Field ID + length varint + string bytes
+    total_size += field_id_size + varint(static_cast<uint32_t>(len)) + static_cast<uint32_t>(len);
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/user_services.h b/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
index 1420a15ff9..deec636cae 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
@@ -33,14 +33,14 @@ template<typename... Ts> class UserServiceBase : public UserServiceDescriptor {
 
   ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response() override {
     ListEntitiesServicesResponse msg;
-    msg.name = this->name_;
+    msg.set_name(StringRef(this->name_));
     msg.key = this->key_;
     std::array<enums::ServiceArgType, sizeof...(Ts)> arg_types = {to_service_arg_type<Ts>()...};
     for (int i = 0; i < sizeof...(Ts); i++) {
-      ListEntitiesServicesArgument arg;
+      msg.args.emplace_back();
+      auto &arg = msg.args.back();
       arg.type = arg_types[i];
-      arg.name = this->arg_names_[i];
-      msg.args.push_back(arg);
+      arg.set_name(StringRef(this->arg_names_[i]));
     }
     return msg;
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/homeassistant/number/homeassistant_number.cpp b/esphome/components/homeassistant/number/homeassistant_number.cpp
index a7f71c3244..ffb352c969 100644
--- a/esphome/components/homeassistant/number/homeassistant_number.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/homeassistant/number/homeassistant_number.cpp
@@ -83,18 +83,24 @@ void HomeassistantNumber::control(float value) {
 
   this->publish_state(value);
 
+  static constexpr auto SERVICE_NAME = StringRef::from_lit("number.set_value");
+  static constexpr auto ENTITY_ID_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("entity_id");
+  static constexpr auto VALUE_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("value");
+
   api::HomeassistantServiceResponse resp;
-  resp.service = "number.set_value";
+  resp.set_service(SERVICE_NAME);
 
-  api::HomeassistantServiceMap entity_id;
-  entity_id.key = "entity_id";
-  entity_id.value = this->entity_id_;
-  resp.data.push_back(entity_id);
+  resp.data.emplace_back();
+  auto &entity_id = resp.data.back();
+  entity_id.set_key(ENTITY_ID_KEY);
+  entity_id.set_value(StringRef(this->entity_id_));
 
-  api::HomeassistantServiceMap entity_value;
-  entity_value.key = "value";
-  entity_value.value = to_string(value);
-  resp.data.push_back(entity_value);
+  resp.data.emplace_back();
+  auto &entity_value = resp.data.back();
+  entity_value.set_key(VALUE_KEY);
+  // to_string() returns a temporary - must store it to avoid dangling reference
+  std::string value_str = to_string(value);
+  entity_value.set_value(StringRef(value_str));
 
   api::global_api_server->send_homeassistant_service_call(resp);
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/homeassistant/switch/homeassistant_switch.cpp b/esphome/components/homeassistant/switch/homeassistant_switch.cpp
index 0451c95069..0fe609bf43 100644
--- a/esphome/components/homeassistant/switch/homeassistant_switch.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/homeassistant/switch/homeassistant_switch.cpp
@@ -40,17 +40,21 @@ void HomeassistantSwitch::write_state(bool state) {
     return;
   }
 
+  static constexpr auto SERVICE_ON = StringRef::from_lit("homeassistant.turn_on");
+  static constexpr auto SERVICE_OFF = StringRef::from_lit("homeassistant.turn_off");
+  static constexpr auto ENTITY_ID_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("entity_id");
+
   api::HomeassistantServiceResponse resp;
   if (state) {
-    resp.service = "homeassistant.turn_on";
+    resp.set_service(SERVICE_ON);
   } else {
-    resp.service = "homeassistant.turn_off";
+    resp.set_service(SERVICE_OFF);
   }
 
-  api::HomeassistantServiceMap entity_id_kv;
-  entity_id_kv.key = "entity_id";
-  entity_id_kv.value = this->entity_id_;
-  resp.data.push_back(entity_id_kv);
+  resp.data.emplace_back();
+  auto &entity_id_kv = resp.data.back();
+  entity_id_kv.set_key(ENTITY_ID_KEY);
+  entity_id_kv.set_value(StringRef(this->entity_id_));
 
   api::global_api_server->send_homeassistant_service_call(resp);
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/text/text_traits.h b/esphome/components/text/text_traits.h
index 952afa70c7..ceaba2dead 100644
--- a/esphome/components/text/text_traits.h
+++ b/esphome/components/text/text_traits.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <utility>
 
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
+#include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 namespace esphome {
 namespace text {
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ class TextTraits {
   // Set/get the pattern.
   void set_pattern(std::string pattern) { this->pattern_ = std::move(pattern); }
   std::string get_pattern() const { return this->pattern_; }
+  StringRef get_pattern_ref() const { return StringRef(this->pattern_); }
 
   // Set/get the frontend mode.
   void set_mode(TextMode mode) { this->mode_ = mode; }
diff --git a/esphome/components/voice_assistant/voice_assistant.cpp b/esphome/components/voice_assistant/voice_assistant.cpp
index 481a4efa62..743c90e700 100644
--- a/esphome/components/voice_assistant/voice_assistant.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/voice_assistant/voice_assistant.cpp
@@ -238,10 +238,10 @@ void VoiceAssistant::loop() {
 
       api::VoiceAssistantRequest msg;
       msg.start = true;
-      msg.conversation_id = this->conversation_id_;
+      msg.set_conversation_id(StringRef(this->conversation_id_));
       msg.flags = flags;
       msg.audio_settings = audio_settings;
-      msg.wake_word_phrase = this->wake_word_;
+      msg.set_wake_word_phrase(StringRef(this->wake_word_));
       this->wake_word_ = "";
 
       // Reset media player state tracking
diff --git a/esphome/core/entity_base.h b/esphome/core/entity_base.h
index 00b1264ed0..e60e0728bc 100644
--- a/esphome/core/entity_base.h
+++ b/esphome/core/entity_base.h
@@ -54,6 +54,14 @@ class EntityBase {
   // Get/set this entity's icon
   std::string get_icon() const;
   void set_icon(const char *icon);
+  StringRef get_icon_ref() const {
+    static constexpr auto EMPTY_STRING = StringRef::from_lit("");
+#ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
+    return this->icon_c_str_ == nullptr ? EMPTY_STRING : StringRef(this->icon_c_str_);
+#else
+    return EMPTY_STRING;
+#endif
+  }
 
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
   // Get/set this entity's device id
@@ -105,6 +113,11 @@ class EntityBase_DeviceClass {  // NOLINT(readability-identifier-naming)
   std::string get_device_class();
   /// Manually set the device class.
   void set_device_class(const char *device_class);
+  /// Get the device class as StringRef
+  StringRef get_device_class_ref() const {
+    static constexpr auto EMPTY_STRING = StringRef::from_lit("");
+    return this->device_class_ == nullptr ? EMPTY_STRING : StringRef(this->device_class_);
+  }
 
  protected:
   const char *device_class_{nullptr};  ///< Device class override
@@ -116,6 +129,11 @@ class EntityBase_UnitOfMeasurement {  // NOLINT(readability-identifier-naming)
   std::string get_unit_of_measurement();
   /// Manually set the unit of measurement.
   void set_unit_of_measurement(const char *unit_of_measurement);
+  /// Get the unit of measurement as StringRef
+  StringRef get_unit_of_measurement_ref() const {
+    static constexpr auto EMPTY_STRING = StringRef::from_lit("");
+    return this->unit_of_measurement_ == nullptr ? EMPTY_STRING : StringRef(this->unit_of_measurement_);
+  }
 
  protected:
   const char *unit_of_measurement_{nullptr};  ///< Unit of measurement override
diff --git a/script/api_protobuf/api_protobuf.py b/script/api_protobuf/api_protobuf.py
index 2d49ac5ece..766a84c9fd 100755
--- a/script/api_protobuf/api_protobuf.py
+++ b/script/api_protobuf/api_protobuf.py
@@ -343,6 +343,10 @@ def create_field_type_info(
     if field.type == 12:
         return BytesType(field, needs_decode, needs_encode)
 
+    # Special handling for string fields
+    if field.type == 9:
+        return StringType(field, needs_decode, needs_encode)
+
     validate_field_type(field.type, field.name)
     return TYPE_INFO[field.type](field)
 
@@ -543,12 +547,67 @@ class StringType(TypeInfo):
     encode_func = "encode_string"
     wire_type = WireType.LENGTH_DELIMITED  # Uses wire type 2
 
+    @property
+    def public_content(self) -> list[str]:
+        content: list[str] = []
+        # Add std::string storage if message needs decoding
+        if self._needs_decode:
+            content.append(f"std::string {self.field_name}{{}};")
+
+        if self._needs_encode:
+            content.extend(
+                [
+                    # Add StringRef field if message needs encoding
+                    f"StringRef {self.field_name}_ref_{{}};",
+                    # Add setter method if message needs encoding
+                    f"void set_{self.field_name}(const StringRef &ref) {{",
+                    f"  this->{self.field_name}_ref_ = ref;",
+                    "}",
+                ]
+            )
+        return content
+
+    @property
+    def encode_content(self) -> str:
+        return f"buffer.encode_string({self.number}, this->{self.field_name}_ref_);"
+
     def dump(self, name):
-        o = f'out.append("\'").append({name}).append("\'");'
-        return o
+        # If name is 'it', this is a repeated field element - always use string
+        if name == "it":
+            return "append_quoted_string(out, StringRef(it));"
+
+        # For SOURCE_CLIENT only, always use std::string
+        if not self._needs_encode:
+            return f'out.append("\'").append(this->{self.field_name}).append("\'");'
+
+        # For SOURCE_SERVER, always use StringRef
+        if not self._needs_decode:
+            return f"append_quoted_string(out, this->{self.field_name}_ref_);"
+
+        # For SOURCE_BOTH, check if StringRef is set (sending) or use string (received)
+        return (
+            f"if (!this->{self.field_name}_ref_.empty()) {{"
+            f'  out.append("\'").append(this->{self.field_name}_ref_.c_str()).append("\'");'
+            f"}} else {{"
+            f'  out.append("\'").append(this->{self.field_name}).append("\'");'
+            f"}}"
+        )
 
     def get_size_calculation(self, name: str, force: bool = False) -> str:
-        return self._get_simple_size_calculation(name, force, "add_string_field")
+        # For SOURCE_CLIENT only messages, use the string field directly
+        if not self._needs_encode:
+            return self._get_simple_size_calculation(name, force, "add_string_field")
+
+        # Check if this is being called from a repeated field context
+        # In that case, 'name' will be 'it' and we need to use the repeated version
+        if name == "it":
+            # For repeated fields, we need to use add_string_field_repeated which includes field ID
+            field_id_size = self.calculate_field_id_size()
+            return f"ProtoSize::add_string_field_repeated(total_size, {field_id_size}, it);"
+
+        # For messages that need encoding, use the StringRef size
+        field_id_size = self.calculate_field_id_size()
+        return f"ProtoSize::add_string_field(total_size, {field_id_size}, this->{self.field_name}_ref_.size());"
 
     def get_estimated_size(self) -> int:
         return self.calculate_field_id_size() + 8  # field ID + 8 bytes typical string
@@ -1902,6 +1961,7 @@ def main() -> None:
 #pragma once
 
 #include "esphome/core/defines.h"
+#include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 #include "proto.h"
 
@@ -1935,6 +1995,15 @@ namespace api {
 namespace esphome {
 namespace api {
 
+// Helper function to append a quoted string, handling empty StringRef
+static inline void append_quoted_string(std::string &out, const StringRef &ref) {
+  out.append("'");
+  if (!ref.empty()) {
+    out.append(ref.c_str());
+  }
+  out.append("'");
+}
+
 """
 
     content += "namespace enums {\n\n"
@@ -2174,7 +2243,13 @@ static const char *const TAG = "api.service";
             cpp += f"#ifdef {ifdef}\n"
 
         hpp_protected += f"  void {on_func}(const {inp} &msg) override;\n"
-        hpp += f"  virtual {ret} {func}(const {inp} &msg) = 0;\n"
+
+        # For non-void methods, generate a send_ method instead of return-by-value
+        if is_void:
+            hpp += f"  virtual void {func}(const {inp} &msg) = 0;\n"
+        else:
+            hpp += f"  virtual bool send_{func}_response(const {inp} &msg) = 0;\n"
+
         cpp += f"void {class_name}::{on_func}(const {inp} &msg) {{\n"
 
         # Start with authentication/connection check if needed
@@ -2192,10 +2267,7 @@ static const char *const TAG = "api.service";
             if is_void:
                 handler_body = f"this->{func}(msg);\n"
             else:
-                handler_body = f"{ret} ret = this->{func}(msg);\n"
-                handler_body += (
-                    f"if (!this->send_message(ret, {ret}::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {{\n"
-                )
+                handler_body = f"if (!this->send_{func}_response(msg)) {{\n"
                 handler_body += "  this->on_fatal_error();\n"
                 handler_body += "}\n"
 
@@ -2207,8 +2279,7 @@ static const char *const TAG = "api.service";
             if is_void:
                 body += f"this->{func}(msg);\n"
             else:
-                body += f"{ret} ret = this->{func}(msg);\n"
-                body += f"if (!this->send_message(ret, {ret}::MESSAGE_TYPE)) {{\n"
+                body += f"if (!this->send_{func}_response(msg)) {{\n"
                 body += "  this->on_fatal_error();\n"
                 body += "}\n"