diff --git a/esphome/components/api/__init__.py b/esphome/components/api/__init__.py
index 9611228ba1d..44d8b443676 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/api/__init__.py
@@ -251,9 +251,6 @@ def _validate_supports_response(value: Any) -> str:
     return cv.enum(SUPPORTS_RESPONSE_OPTIONS, lower=True)(value)
 
 
-# ESP8266 copies every string of an action into a stack buffer sized by codegen; keep it small
-ESP8266_ACTION_STRINGS_MAX_TOTAL = 384
-
 VARIABLE_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
     {
         cv.Required(CONF_TYPE): cv.one_of(*SERVICE_ARG_NATIVE_TYPES, lower=True),
@@ -484,29 +481,6 @@ def _action_strings(conf: ConfigType, has_metadata: bool) -> list[str | None]:
     return strings
 
 
-def _action_strings_size(strings: list[str | None]) -> int:
-    """Bytes needed to copy every string out of flash, each with its terminator."""
-    return sum(
-        len(string.encode("utf-8")) + 1 for string in strings if string is not None
-    )
-
-
-def _validate_esp8266_action_strings(config: ConfigType) -> ConfigType:
-    if not CORE.is_esp8266:
-        return config
-    actions = config.get(CONF_ACTIONS, [])
-    has_metadata = _has_action_metadata(actions)
-    for conf in actions:
-        size = _action_strings_size(_action_strings(conf, has_metadata))
-        if size > ESP8266_ACTION_STRINGS_MAX_TOTAL:
-            raise cv.Invalid(
-                f"Action '{conf[CONF_ACTION]}' has {size} bytes of name, variable name, "
-                f"description and example text; ESP8266 allows at most "
-                f"{ESP8266_ACTION_STRINGS_MAX_TOTAL} bytes per action"
-            )
-    return config
-
-
 def _validate_outgoing_host_ipv6(config: ConfigType) -> ConfigType:
     """An IPv6 host can never be parsed, so never dialed, without IPv6."""
     if (
@@ -531,7 +505,6 @@ def _validate_wizard(config: ConfigType) -> ConfigType:
 
 
 FINAL_VALIDATE_SCHEMA = cv.All(
-    _validate_esp8266_action_strings,
     _validate_outgoing_host_ipv6,
     _validate_wizard,
 )
@@ -587,7 +560,6 @@ async def to_code(config: ConfigType) -> None:
     if config[CONF_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES]:
         cg.add_define("USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES")
 
-    scratch_size = 0
     if actions:
         # Metadata is compiled in for every action once any action declares it, because the
         # string table layout is fixed by the define rather than per action
@@ -639,8 +611,6 @@ async def to_code(config: ConfigType) -> None:
                 func_args.append((native, name))
             strings = _action_strings(conf, has_metadata)
             table = _add_action_strings(index, strings)
-            if CORE.is_esp8266:
-                scratch_size = max(scratch_size, _action_strings_size(strings))
             # Template args: supports_response mode, then user service arg types
             templ = cg.TemplateArguments(supports_response, *service_template_args)
             # Key is hashed here because the name is not readable at runtime on ESP8266
@@ -667,9 +637,6 @@ async def to_code(config: ConfigType) -> None:
                 cg.add(auto.add_action(unregister_action))
         # Register all services at once - single allocation, no reallocations
         cg.add(var.initialize_user_services(triggers))
-    if CORE.is_esp8266 and has_user_actions:
-        # Stack buffer that list-entities copies PROGMEM strings into, sized for the largest action
-        cg.add_define("API_USER_ACTION_STRINGS_SCRATCH_SIZE", max(scratch_size, 1))
 
     if (wizard_config := config.get(wizard.CONF_WIZARD)) is not None:
         await wizard.to_code(wizard_config)
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api.proto b/esphome/components/api/api.proto
index 2a64948e155..b1b38f08cb7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api.proto
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api.proto
@@ -1026,8 +1026,8 @@ message SubscribeHomeassistantServicesRequest {
 }
 
 message HomeassistantServiceMap {
-  string key = 1;
-  string value = 2;
+  string key = 1 [(progmem) = true];
+  string value = 2 [(progmem) = true];
 }
 
 message HomeassistantActionRequest {
@@ -1036,7 +1036,7 @@ message HomeassistantActionRequest {
   option (no_delay) = true;
   option (ifdef) = "USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_SERVICES";
 
-  string service = 1;
+  string service = 1 [(progmem) = true];
   repeated HomeassistantServiceMap data = 2 [(fixed_vector) = true];
   repeated HomeassistantServiceMap data_template = 3 [(fixed_vector) = true];
   repeated HomeassistantServiceMap variables = 4 [(fixed_vector) = true];
@@ -1157,21 +1157,21 @@ enum SupportsResponseType {
 }
 message ListEntitiesServicesArgument {
   option (ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTIONS";
-  string name = 1;
+  string name = 1 [(progmem) = true];
   ServiceArgType type = 2;
-  string description = 3 [(field_ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA"];
-  string example = 4 [(field_ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA"];
+  string description = 3 [(field_ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA", (progmem) = true];
+  string example = 4 [(field_ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA", (progmem) = true];
 }
 message ListEntitiesServicesResponse {
   option (id) = 41;
   option (source) = SOURCE_SERVER;
   option (ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTIONS";
 
-  string name = 1;
+  string name = 1 [(progmem) = true];
   fixed32 key = 2 [(force) = true];
   repeated ListEntitiesServicesArgument args = 3 [(fixed_vector) = true];
   SupportsResponseType supports_response = 4;
-  string description = 5 [(field_ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA"];
+  string description = 5 [(field_ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA", (progmem) = true];
 }
 message ExecuteServiceArgument {
   option (ifdef) = "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTIONS";
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
index 519ce36f595..7c5d3aadc2f 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
@@ -1140,8 +1140,8 @@ uint32_t NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse::calc_size_msg(const void *self) {
 #ifdef USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_SERVICES
 uint8_t *HomeassistantServiceMap::encode_msg(const void *self, uint8_t *__restrict__ pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) {
   const auto &msg = *static_cast<const HomeassistantServiceMap *>(self);
-  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, msg.key);
-  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 2, msg.value);
+  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_progmem_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, msg.key);
+  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_progmem_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 2, msg.value);
   return pos;
 }
 uint32_t HomeassistantServiceMap::calc_size_msg(const void *self) {
@@ -1153,7 +1153,7 @@ uint32_t HomeassistantServiceMap::calc_size_msg(const void *self) {
 }
 uint8_t *HomeassistantActionRequest::encode_msg(const void *self, uint8_t *__restrict__ pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) {
   const auto &msg = *static_cast<const HomeassistantActionRequest *>(self);
-  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, msg.service);
+  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_progmem_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, msg.service);
   for (auto &it : msg.data) {
     pos = ProtoEncode::encode_sub_message(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 2, it);
   }
@@ -1324,13 +1324,13 @@ void GetTimeResponse::decode_field(void *self, uint32_t tag, const uint8_t *data
 uint8_t *ListEntitiesServicesArgument::encode_msg(const void *self,
                                                   uint8_t *__restrict__ pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) {
   const auto &msg = *static_cast<const ListEntitiesServicesArgument *>(self);
-  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, msg.name);
+  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_progmem_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, msg.name);
   pos = ProtoEncode::encode_uint32(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 2, static_cast<uint32_t>(msg.type));
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 3, msg.description);
+  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_progmem_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 3, msg.description);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 4, msg.example);
+  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_progmem_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 4, msg.example);
 #endif
   return pos;
 }
@@ -1350,14 +1350,14 @@ uint32_t ListEntitiesServicesArgument::calc_size_msg(const void *self) {
 uint8_t *ListEntitiesServicesResponse::encode_msg(const void *self,
                                                   uint8_t *__restrict__ pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) {
   const auto &msg = *static_cast<const ListEntitiesServicesResponse *>(self);
-  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, msg.name);
+  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_progmem_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, msg.name);
   pos = ProtoEncode::write_tag_and_fixed32(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 21, msg.key);
   for (auto &it : msg.args) {
     pos = ProtoEncode::encode_sub_message(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 3, it);
   }
   pos = ProtoEncode::encode_uint32(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 4, static_cast<uint32_t>(msg.supports_response));
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 5, msg.description);
+  pos = ProtoEncode::encode_progmem_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 5, msg.description);
 #endif
   return pos;
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
index dcb7c01f110..bc21c46d5c3 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
@@ -1388,8 +1388,8 @@ class NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_SERVICES
 class HomeassistantServiceMap final : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  StringRef key{nullptr, 0};    // null until set, encode only
-  StringRef value{nullptr, 0};  // null until set, encode only
+  ProgmemStringRef key{};
+  ProgmemStringRef value{};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, uint8_t *pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer.get_pos() PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -1409,7 +1409,7 @@ class HomeassistantActionRequest final : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("homeassistant_action_request"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef service{nullptr, 0};  // null until set, encode only
+  ProgmemStringRef service{};
   FixedVector<HomeassistantServiceMap> data{};
   FixedVector<HomeassistantServiceMap> data_template{};
   FixedVector<HomeassistantServiceMap> variables{};
@@ -1576,13 +1576,13 @@ class GetTimeResponse final : public ProtoDecodableMessage {
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTIONS
 class ListEntitiesServicesArgument final : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  StringRef name{nullptr, 0};  // null until set, encode only
+  ProgmemStringRef name{};
   enums::ServiceArgType type{};
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  StringRef description{nullptr, 0};  // null until set, encode only
+  ProgmemStringRef description{};
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  StringRef example{nullptr, 0};  // null until set, encode only
+  ProgmemStringRef example{};
 #endif
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, uint8_t *pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -1603,12 +1603,12 @@ class ListEntitiesServicesResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_services_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef name{nullptr, 0};  // null until set, encode only
+  ProgmemStringRef name{};
   uint32_t key{0};
   FixedVector<ListEntitiesServicesArgument> args{};
   enums::SupportsResponseType supports_response{};
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  StringRef description{nullptr, 0};  // null until set, encode only
+  ProgmemStringRef description{};
 #endif
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, uint8_t *pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
index e361c9ca2ef..b0c6d9dd016 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
@@ -1519,13 +1519,13 @@ const char *NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
 #ifdef USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_SERVICES
 const char *HomeassistantServiceMap::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
   MessageDumpHelper helper(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("HomeassistantServiceMap"));
-  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("key"), this->key);
-  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("value"), this->value);
+  dump_progmem_string_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("key"), this->key);
+  dump_progmem_string_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("value"), this->value);
   return out.c_str();
 }
 const char *HomeassistantActionRequest::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
   MessageDumpHelper helper(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("HomeassistantActionRequest"));
-  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("service"), this->service);
+  dump_progmem_string_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("service"), this->service);
   for (const auto &it : this->data) {
     out.append(4, ' ').append_p(ESPHOME_PSTR("data")).append(": ");
     it.dump_to(out);
@@ -1620,19 +1620,19 @@ const char *GetTimeResponse::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTIONS
 const char *ListEntitiesServicesArgument::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
   MessageDumpHelper helper(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("ListEntitiesServicesArgument"));
-  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("name"), this->name);
+  dump_progmem_string_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("name"), this->name);
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("type"), static_cast<enums::ServiceArgType>(this->type));
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("description"), this->description);
+  dump_progmem_string_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("description"), this->description);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("example"), this->example);
+  dump_progmem_string_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("example"), this->example);
 #endif
   return out.c_str();
 }
 const char *ListEntitiesServicesResponse::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
   MessageDumpHelper helper(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("ListEntitiesServicesResponse"));
-  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("name"), this->name);
+  dump_progmem_string_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("name"), this->name);
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("key"), this->key);
   for (const auto &it : this->args) {
     out.append(4, ' ').append_p(ESPHOME_PSTR("args")).append(": ");
@@ -1641,7 +1641,7 @@ const char *ListEntitiesServicesResponse::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
   }
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("supports_response"), static_cast<enums::SupportsResponseType>(this->supports_response));
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("description"), this->description);
+  dump_progmem_string_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("description"), this->description);
 #endif
   return out.c_str();
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
index f63039a9714..a8d14256dcb 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ void APIServer::send_homeassistant_action(const HomeassistantActionRequest &call
     // arrive before the subscription and are lost - warn instead of failing silently.
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Home Assistant %s '%.*s' dropped; %s",
              call.is_event ? LOG_STR_LITERAL("event") : LOG_STR_LITERAL("action"),
-             static_cast<int>(call.service.size()), call.service.empty() ? "" : call.service.c_str(),
+             static_cast<int>(call.service.size()), call.service.empty() ? "" : call.service.progmem_ptr(),
              this->is_connected() ? LOG_STR_LITERAL("client has not subscribed to actions (yet)")
                                   : LOG_STR_LITERAL("no client connected"));
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/custom_api_device.h b/esphome/components/api/custom_api_device.h
index c2b0f14bcc5..208c956eb17 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/custom_api_device.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/custom_api_device.h
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ class CustomAPIDevice {
    */
   void call_homeassistant_service(const std::string &service_name) {
     HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-    resp.service = StringRef(service_name);
+    resp.service = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(service_name));
     global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
   }
 
@@ -267,12 +267,12 @@ class CustomAPIDevice {
    */
   void call_homeassistant_service(const std::string &service_name, const std::map<std::string, std::string> &data) {
     HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-    resp.service = StringRef(service_name);
+    resp.service = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(service_name));
     resp.data.init(data.size());
     for (auto &it : data) {
       auto &kv = resp.data.emplace_back();
-      kv.key = StringRef(it.first);
-      kv.value = StringRef(it.second);  // data map lives until send completes
+      kv.key = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(it.first));
+      kv.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(it.second));  // data map lives until send completes
     }
     global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
   }
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ class CustomAPIDevice {
    */
   void fire_homeassistant_event(const std::string &event_name) {
     HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-    resp.service = StringRef(event_name);
+    resp.service = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(event_name));
     resp.is_event = true;
     global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
   }
@@ -309,13 +309,13 @@ class CustomAPIDevice {
    */
   void fire_homeassistant_event(const std::string &service_name, const std::map<std::string, std::string> &data) {
     HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-    resp.service = StringRef(service_name);
+    resp.service = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(service_name));
     resp.is_event = true;
     resp.data.init(data.size());
     for (auto &it : data) {
       auto &kv = resp.data.emplace_back();
-      kv.key = StringRef(it.first);
-      kv.value = StringRef(it.second);  // data map lives until send completes
+      kv.key = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(it.first));
+      kv.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(it.second));  // data map lives until send completes
     }
     global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h b/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
index e7798a5d267..8964e8ca352 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/homeassistant_service.h
@@ -116,42 +116,18 @@ template<typename... Ts> class HomeAssistantServiceCallAction final : public Act
     const Field *fields = this->fields_;
     const size_t total = 1 + this->data_count_ + this->data_template_count_ + this->variables_count_;
 
-    // Lambda results, and on ESP8266 the RAM copies of the flash strings, must live until the send
+    // Lambda results must live until the send; the constant strings are encoded from flash where they are
     size_t lambda_count = 0;
-#ifdef USE_ESP8266
-    size_t flash_len = 0;
-#endif
-    for (size_t i = 0; i < total; i++) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < total; i++)
       lambda_count += fields[i].fn != nullptr;
-#ifdef USE_ESP8266
-      if (fields[i].fn == nullptr)
-        flash_len += ESPHOME_strlen_P(fields[i].value);
-      if (fields[i].key != nullptr)
-        flash_len += ESPHOME_strlen_P(fields[i].key);
-#endif
-    }
     FixedVector<std::string> results;
     results.init(lambda_count);
-#ifdef USE_ESP8266
-    SmallBufferWithHeapFallback<128, char> flash_copy(flash_len);
-    char *cursor = flash_copy.get();
-#endif
-    auto string_ref = [&](const char *str) {
-#ifdef USE_ESP8266
-      size_t len = ESPHOME_strlen_P(str);
-      memcpy_P(cursor, str, len);
-      StringRef ref(cursor, len);
-      cursor += len;
-      return ref;
-#else
-      return StringRef(str);
-#endif
-    };
+    auto string_ref = [](const char *str) { return ProgmemStringRef(str, ESPHOME_strlen_P(str)); };
     auto value_ref = [&](const Field &field) {
       if (field.fn == nullptr)
         return string_ref(field.value);
       results.push_back(field.fn(x...));
-      return StringRef(results.back());
+      return ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(results.back()));
     };
     auto fill = [&](FixedVector<HomeassistantServiceMap> &dest, uint8_t count) {
       dest.init(count);
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/list_entities.cpp b/esphome/components/api/list_entities.cpp
index 507b098fb48..57ff616ca7c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/list_entities.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/list_entities.cpp
@@ -99,8 +99,7 @@ ListEntitiesIterator::ListEntitiesIterator(APIConnection *client) : client_(clie
 static constexpr uint8_t SERVICE_YIELD_INTERVAL = 3;
 
 bool ListEntitiesIterator::on_service(UserServiceDescriptor *service) {
-  UserActionScratch scratch;
-  auto resp = service->encode_list_service_response(scratch);
+  auto resp = service->encode_list_service_response();
   if (!this->client_->send_message(resp))
     return false;
   // at_ is this service's index
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/user_services.cpp b/esphome/components/api/user_services.cpp
index fad3cde29b9..a9836170640 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/user_services.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/user_services.cpp
@@ -1,47 +1,36 @@
 #include "user_services.h"
 #include "esphome/core/hal.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/progmem.h"
 #include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 namespace esphome::api {
 
-StringRef UserServiceStatic::str_(size_t idx, std::span<char> &scratch) const {
+ProgmemStringRef UserServiceStatic::str_(size_t idx) const {
   const char *s = progmem_read_ptr(&this->strings_[idx]);
   if (s == nullptr)
     return {};
-#ifdef USE_ESP8266
-  // Codegen sizes the scratch buffer for the largest service; the bound only guards other callers
-  if (scratch.empty())
-    return {};
-  size_t len = strnlen_P(s, scratch.size() - 1);
-  progmem_memcpy(scratch.data(), s, len);
-  scratch[len] = '\0';
-  StringRef ref(scratch.data(), len);
-  scratch = scratch.subspan(len + 1);
-  return ref;
-#else
-  return StringRef(s);
-#endif
+  return ProgmemStringRef(s, ESPHOME_strlen_P(s));
 }
 
 ListEntitiesServicesResponse UserServiceStatic::encode_list_service_response_(
-    std::span<const enums::ServiceArgType> arg_types, std::span<char> scratch) const {
+    std::span<const enums::ServiceArgType> arg_types) const {
   ListEntitiesServicesResponse msg;
-  msg.name = this->str_(0, scratch);
+  msg.name = this->str_(0);
   msg.key = this->key_;
   msg.supports_response = this->supports_response_;
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  msg.description = this->str_(1, scratch);
+  msg.description = this->str_(1);
 #endif
   msg.args.init(arg_types.size());
   for (size_t i = 0; i < arg_types.size(); i++) {
     size_t base = USER_ACTION_HEADER_STRINGS + i * USER_ACTION_ARG_STRINGS;
     auto &arg = msg.args.emplace_back();
     arg.type = arg_types[i];
-    arg.name = this->str_(base, scratch);
+    arg.name = this->str_(base);
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-    arg.description = this->str_(base + 1, scratch);
-    arg.example = this->str_(base + 2, scratch);
+    arg.description = this->str_(base + 1);
+    arg.example = this->str_(base + 2);
 #endif
   }
   return msg;
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/user_services.h b/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
index 3b17bdb7bcd..057e04dd7a7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
@@ -20,9 +20,8 @@ class APIServer;
 
 class UserServiceDescriptor {
  public:
-  /// Build the list-entities message. On ESP8266 the strings live in PROGMEM and are copied into
-  /// `scratch`, so the returned message is only valid while `scratch` is; other platforms ignore it.
-  virtual ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response(std::span<char> scratch) = 0;
+  /// Build the list-entities message; its strings may point into flash (PROGMEM).
+  virtual ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response() = 0;
 
   virtual bool execute_service(const ExecuteServiceRequest &req) = 0;
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_RESPONSES
@@ -37,13 +36,6 @@ template<typename T> T get_execute_arg_value(const ExecuteServiceArgument &arg);
 
 template<typename T> enums::ServiceArgType to_service_arg_type();
 
-// Scratch buffer list-entities hands to encode_list_service_response(); only ESP8266 copies into it
-#ifdef USE_ESP8266
-using UserActionScratch = std::array<char, API_USER_ACTION_STRINGS_SCRATCH_SIZE>;
-#else
-using UserActionScratch = std::array<char, 0>;
-#endif
-
 // Non-template base for YAML-defined services so the list-entities encoder is compiled once.
 // All strings live in one PROGMEM pointer table emitted by codegen (see _action_strings in
 // __init__.py), so each service costs a single pointer of RAM. Layout: the action name, then
@@ -63,12 +55,9 @@ class UserServiceStatic : public UserServiceDescriptor {
       : strings_(strings), key_(key), supports_response_(supports_response) {}
 
  protected:
-  ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response_(std::span<const enums::ServiceArgType> arg_types,
-                                                             std::span<char> scratch) const;
-  /// Reference table entry `idx`; nullptr gives an empty StringRef.
-  /// On ESP8266 the bytes are copied out of PROGMEM into `scratch` with a terminator, and the span
-  /// is advanced past the copy.
-  StringRef str_(size_t idx, std::span<char> &scratch) const;
+  ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response_(std::span<const enums::ServiceArgType> arg_types) const;
+  /// Table entry `idx` as it sits in flash; nullptr gives an empty string.
+  ProgmemStringRef str_(size_t idx) const;
 
   const char *const *strings_;  // PROGMEM pointer table, read with progmem_read_ptr()
   uint32_t key_;
@@ -79,9 +68,9 @@ template<typename... Ts> class UserServiceBase : public UserServiceStatic {
  public:
   using UserServiceStatic::UserServiceStatic;
 
-  ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response(std::span<char> scratch) override {
+  ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response() override {
     std::array<enums::ServiceArgType, sizeof...(Ts)> arg_types = {to_service_arg_type<Ts>()...};
-    return this->encode_list_service_response_(arg_types, scratch);
+    return this->encode_list_service_response_(arg_types);
   }
 
   bool execute_service(const ExecuteServiceRequest &req) override {
@@ -125,9 +114,9 @@ template<typename... Ts> class UserServiceDynamic : public UserServiceDescriptor
     this->key_ = fnv1_hash(this->name_.c_str());
   }
 
-  ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response(std::span<char> /*scratch*/) override {
+  ListEntitiesServicesResponse encode_list_service_response() override {
     ListEntitiesServicesResponse msg;
-    msg.name = StringRef(this->name_);
+    msg.name = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(this->name_));
     msg.key = this->key_;
     msg.supports_response = enums::SUPPORTS_RESPONSE_NONE;  // Dynamic services don't support responses yet
     std::array<enums::ServiceArgType, sizeof...(Ts)> arg_types = {to_service_arg_type<Ts>()...};
@@ -135,7 +124,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class UserServiceDynamic : public UserServiceDescriptor
     for (size_t i = 0; i < sizeof...(Ts); i++) {
       auto &arg = msg.args.emplace_back();
       arg.type = arg_types[i];
-      arg.name = StringRef(this->arg_names_[i]);
+      arg.name = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(this->arg_names_[i]));
     }
     return msg;
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/homeassistant/button/homeassistant_button.cpp b/esphome/components/homeassistant/button/homeassistant_button.cpp
index 85ed0c42e99..f49cef8ee30 100644
--- a/esphome/components/homeassistant/button/homeassistant_button.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/homeassistant/button/homeassistant_button.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h"
 #include "esphome/components/api/api_server.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/progmem.h"
 #include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 namespace esphome::homeassistant {
@@ -31,22 +32,21 @@ void HomeassistantButton::press_action() {
   }
 #endif
 
-  static constexpr auto SERVICE_BUTTON = StringRef::from_lit("button.press");
-  static constexpr auto SERVICE_INPUT_BUTTON = StringRef::from_lit("input_button.press");
-  static constexpr auto ENTITY_ID_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("entity_id");
-  static constexpr char INPUT_PREFIX[] = "input_";
+  // In flash on the ESP8266 and encoded from there
+  static const char SERVICE_BUTTON[] PROGMEM = "button.press";
+  static const char SERVICE_INPUT_BUTTON[] PROGMEM = "input_button.press";
+  static const char ENTITY_ID_KEY[] PROGMEM = "entity_id";
 
   api::HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-  if (strncmp(this->entity_id_, INPUT_PREFIX, sizeof(INPUT_PREFIX) - 1) == 0) {
-    resp.service = SERVICE_INPUT_BUTTON;
-  } else {
-    resp.service = SERVICE_BUTTON;
-  }
+  // An input helper entity id starts with the "input_" its action name starts with
+  const bool input_helper = ESPHOME_strncmp_P(this->entity_id_, SERVICE_INPUT_BUTTON, sizeof("input_") - 1) == 0;
+  resp.service =
+      input_helper ? ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(SERVICE_INPUT_BUTTON) : ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(SERVICE_BUTTON);
 
   resp.data.init(1);
   auto &entity_id_kv = resp.data.emplace_back();
-  entity_id_kv.key = ENTITY_ID_KEY;
-  entity_id_kv.value = StringRef(this->entity_id_);
+  entity_id_kv.key = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(ENTITY_ID_KEY);
+  entity_id_kv.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(this->entity_id_));
 
   api::global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/homeassistant/number/homeassistant_number.cpp b/esphome/components/homeassistant/number/homeassistant_number.cpp
index fabe2d87364..e1e10896d1e 100644
--- a/esphome/components/homeassistant/number/homeassistant_number.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/homeassistant/number/homeassistant_number.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h"
 #include "esphome/components/api/api_server.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/progmem.h"
 #include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 namespace esphome::homeassistant {
@@ -89,31 +90,29 @@ void HomeassistantNumber::control(float value) {
 
   this->publish_state(value);
 
-  static constexpr auto NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME = StringRef::from_lit("number.set_value");
-  static constexpr auto INPUT_NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME = StringRef::from_lit("input_number.set_value");
-  static constexpr char INPUT_PREFIX[] = "input_";
-  static constexpr auto ENTITY_ID_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("entity_id");
-  static constexpr auto VALUE_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("value");
+  // In flash on the ESP8266 and encoded from there
+  static const char NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME[] PROGMEM = "number.set_value";
+  static const char INPUT_NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME[] PROGMEM = "input_number.set_value";
+  static const char ENTITY_ID_KEY[] PROGMEM = "entity_id";
+  static const char VALUE_KEY[] PROGMEM = "value";
 
   api::HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-  // input_number entities have their own set_value action
-  if (strncmp(this->entity_id_, INPUT_PREFIX, sizeof(INPUT_PREFIX) - 1) == 0) {
-    resp.service = INPUT_NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME;
-  } else {
-    resp.service = NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME;
-  }
+  // An input helper entity id starts with the "input_" its action name starts with
+  const bool input_helper = ESPHOME_strncmp_P(this->entity_id_, INPUT_NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME, sizeof("input_") - 1) == 0;
+  resp.service = input_helper ? ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(INPUT_NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME)
+                              : ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(NUMBER_SERVICE_NAME);
 
   resp.data.init(2);
   auto &entity_id = resp.data.emplace_back();
-  entity_id.key = ENTITY_ID_KEY;
-  entity_id.value = StringRef(this->entity_id_);
+  entity_id.key = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(ENTITY_ID_KEY);
+  entity_id.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(this->entity_id_));
 
   auto &entity_value = resp.data.emplace_back();
-  entity_value.key = VALUE_KEY;
+  entity_value.key = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(VALUE_KEY);
   // Stack buffer - no heap allocation; %g produces shortest representation
   char value_buf[16];
   buf_append_printf(value_buf, sizeof(value_buf), 0, "%g", value);
-  entity_value.value = StringRef(value_buf);
+  entity_value.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(value_buf));
 
   api::global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/homeassistant/select/homeassistant_select.cpp b/esphome/components/homeassistant/select/homeassistant_select.cpp
index f8e658ac8f6..10db7dca7a7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/homeassistant/select/homeassistant_select.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/homeassistant/select/homeassistant_select.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "esphome/components/api/api_server.h"
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/progmem.h"
 #include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 namespace esphome::homeassistant {
@@ -237,27 +238,26 @@ void HomeassistantSelect::control(size_t index) {
   }
 #endif
 
-  static constexpr auto SERVICE_SELECT = StringRef::from_lit("select.select_option");
-  static constexpr auto SERVICE_INPUT_SELECT = StringRef::from_lit("input_select.select_option");
-  static constexpr auto ENTITY_ID_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("entity_id");
-  static constexpr auto OPTION_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("option");
-  static constexpr char INPUT_PREFIX[] = "input_";
+  // In flash on the ESP8266 and encoded from there
+  static const char SERVICE_SELECT[] PROGMEM = "select.select_option";
+  static const char SERVICE_INPUT_SELECT[] PROGMEM = "input_select.select_option";
+  static const char ENTITY_ID_KEY[] PROGMEM = "entity_id";
+  static const char OPTION_KEY[] PROGMEM = "option";
 
   api::HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-  if (strncmp(this->entity_id_, INPUT_PREFIX, sizeof(INPUT_PREFIX) - 1) == 0) {
-    resp.service = SERVICE_INPUT_SELECT;
-  } else {
-    resp.service = SERVICE_SELECT;
-  }
+  // An input helper entity id starts with the "input_" its action name starts with
+  const bool input_helper = ESPHOME_strncmp_P(this->entity_id_, SERVICE_INPUT_SELECT, sizeof("input_") - 1) == 0;
+  resp.service =
+      input_helper ? ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(SERVICE_INPUT_SELECT) : ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(SERVICE_SELECT);
 
   resp.data.init(2);
   auto &entity_id = resp.data.emplace_back();
-  entity_id.key = ENTITY_ID_KEY;
-  entity_id.value = StringRef(this->entity_id_);
+  entity_id.key = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(ENTITY_ID_KEY);
+  entity_id.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(this->entity_id_));
 
   auto &option = resp.data.emplace_back();
-  option.key = OPTION_KEY;
-  option.value = StringRef(this->option_at(index));
+  option.key = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(OPTION_KEY);
+  option.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(this->option_at(index)));
 
   api::global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/homeassistant/switch/homeassistant_switch.cpp b/esphome/components/homeassistant/switch/homeassistant_switch.cpp
index 584573d8818..f09b8b9dc55 100644
--- a/esphome/components/homeassistant/switch/homeassistant_switch.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/homeassistant/switch/homeassistant_switch.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "homeassistant_switch.h"
 #include "esphome/components/api/api_server.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/progmem.h"
 #include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 namespace esphome::homeassistant {
@@ -47,21 +48,18 @@ void HomeassistantSwitch::write_state(bool state) {
   }
 #endif
 
-  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");
+  // In flash on the ESP8266 and encoded from there
+  static const char SERVICE_ON[] PROGMEM = "homeassistant.turn_on";
+  static const char SERVICE_OFF[] PROGMEM = "homeassistant.turn_off";
+  static const char ENTITY_ID_KEY[] PROGMEM = "entity_id";
 
   api::HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-  if (state) {
-    resp.service = SERVICE_ON;
-  } else {
-    resp.service = SERVICE_OFF;
-  }
+  resp.service = state ? ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(SERVICE_ON) : ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(SERVICE_OFF);
 
   resp.data.init(1);
   auto &entity_id_kv = resp.data.emplace_back();
-  entity_id_kv.key = ENTITY_ID_KEY;
-  entity_id_kv.value = StringRef(this->entity_id_);
+  entity_id_kv.key = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(ENTITY_ID_KEY);
+  entity_id_kv.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(this->entity_id_));
 
   api::global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/homeassistant/text/homeassistant_text.cpp b/esphome/components/homeassistant/text/homeassistant_text.cpp
index 6c006224dc6..66377bf008a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/homeassistant/text/homeassistant_text.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/homeassistant/text/homeassistant_text.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "esphome/components/api/api_server.h"
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/progmem.h"
 #include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 namespace esphome::homeassistant {
@@ -86,27 +87,26 @@ void HomeassistantText::control(const std::string &value) {
   }
 #endif
 
-  static constexpr auto SERVICE_TEXT = StringRef::from_lit("text.set_value");
-  static constexpr auto SERVICE_INPUT_TEXT = StringRef::from_lit("input_text.set_value");
-  static constexpr auto ENTITY_ID_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("entity_id");
-  static constexpr auto VALUE_KEY = StringRef::from_lit("value");
-  static constexpr char INPUT_PREFIX[] = "input_";
+  // In flash on the ESP8266 and encoded from there
+  static const char SERVICE_TEXT[] PROGMEM = "text.set_value";
+  static const char SERVICE_INPUT_TEXT[] PROGMEM = "input_text.set_value";
+  static const char ENTITY_ID_KEY[] PROGMEM = "entity_id";
+  static const char VALUE_KEY[] PROGMEM = "value";
 
   api::HomeassistantActionRequest resp;
-  if (strncmp(this->entity_id_, INPUT_PREFIX, sizeof(INPUT_PREFIX) - 1) == 0) {
-    resp.service = SERVICE_INPUT_TEXT;
-  } else {
-    resp.service = SERVICE_TEXT;
-  }
+  // An input helper entity id starts with the "input_" its action name starts with
+  const bool input_helper = ESPHOME_strncmp_P(this->entity_id_, SERVICE_INPUT_TEXT, sizeof("input_") - 1) == 0;
+  resp.service =
+      input_helper ? ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(SERVICE_INPUT_TEXT) : ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(SERVICE_TEXT);
 
   resp.data.init(2);
   auto &entity_id_kv = resp.data.emplace_back();
-  entity_id_kv.key = ENTITY_ID_KEY;
-  entity_id_kv.value = StringRef(this->entity_id_);
+  entity_id_kv.key = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(ENTITY_ID_KEY);
+  entity_id_kv.value = ProgmemStringRef(StringRef(this->entity_id_));
 
   auto &value_kv = resp.data.emplace_back();
-  value_kv.key = VALUE_KEY;
-  value_kv.value = StringRef(value.data(), value.size());
+  value_kv.key = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(VALUE_KEY);
+  value_kv.value = ProgmemStringRef(value.data(), value.size());
 
   api::global_api_server->send_homeassistant_action(resp);
 }
diff --git a/esphome/core/defines.h b/esphome/core/defines.h
index fc6dd82ed98..cc48c778cf6 100644
--- a/esphome/core/defines.h
+++ b/esphome/core/defines.h
@@ -314,7 +314,6 @@
 #define USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_RESPONSES
 #define USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_RESPONSES_JSON
 #define API_MAX_SEND_QUEUE 8
-#define API_USER_ACTION_STRINGS_SCRATCH_SIZE 64
 #define API_WIZARD_DATA_SIZE 1
 #define API_WIZARD_INPUT_COUNT 1
 #define MAX_API_CONNECTIONS 6
diff --git a/esphome/core/string_ref.h b/esphome/core/string_ref.h
index d8c68d7e7fa..c3a4ff339c2 100644
--- a/esphome/core/string_ref.h
+++ b/esphome/core/string_ref.h
@@ -232,6 +232,8 @@ class ProgmemStringRef {
   constexpr ProgmemStringRef() = default;
   constexpr ProgmemStringRef(const char *s, size_t len) : ref_(s, len) {}
   constexpr explicit ProgmemStringRef(const StringRef &s) : ref_(s) {}
+  /// A PROGMEM char array, with its length known at compile time
+  template<size_t N> static constexpr ProgmemStringRef from_lit(const char (&s)[N]) { return {s, N - 1}; }
 
   constexpr const char *progmem_ptr() const { return this->ref_.c_str(); }
   constexpr size_t size() const { return this->ref_.size(); }
diff --git a/tests/component_tests/api/test_action_metadata.py b/tests/component_tests/api/test_action_metadata.py
index 69c9605a675..2b7662b6655 100644
--- a/tests/component_tests/api/test_action_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/component_tests/api/test_action_metadata.py
@@ -8,18 +8,13 @@ import pytest
 
 from esphome.components.api import (
     _action_strings,
-    _action_strings_size,
     _has_action_metadata,
-    _validate_esp8266_action_strings,
     validate_variable,
 )
 from esphome.config_validation import Invalid
-from esphome.const import PlatformFramework
 from esphome.core import CORE
 from esphome.cpp_generator import safe_exp
 from esphome.helpers import fnv1_hash
-from tests.component_tests.helpers import get_define_value
-from tests.component_tests.types import SetCoreConfigCallable
 
 CONFIG = "tests/component_tests/api/test_action_metadata.yaml"
 CONFIG_ESP8266 = "tests/component_tests/api/test_action_metadata_esp8266.yaml"
@@ -45,7 +40,6 @@ def test_metadata_is_emitted_as_progmem_table(
     )
     assert f"(api_action0_strings, {safe_exp(fnv1_hash('play_buzzer'))});" in main_cpp
     assert "USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA" in {d.name for d in CORE.defines}
-    assert get_define_value("API_USER_ACTION_STRINGS_SCRATCH_SIZE") is None
 
 
 def test_esp8266_strings_are_shared_progmem_arrays(
@@ -69,15 +63,13 @@ def test_esp8266_strings_are_shared_progmem_arrays(
     )
 
 
-def test_esp8266_sizes_scratch_buffer_for_largest_action(
+def test_esp8266_encodes_action_strings_from_flash(
     generate_main: Callable[[str | Path], str],
 ) -> None:
-    """ESP8266 gets a scratch buffer define equal to the byte total of the largest action."""
-    generate_main(CONFIG_ESP8266)
+    """ESP8266 uses the same flash string table."""
+    main_cpp = generate_main(CONFIG_ESP8266)
 
-    # play_buzzer: name, description, two variable names, one description, one example,
-    # each with a terminator
-    assert get_define_value("API_USER_ACTION_STRINGS_SCRATCH_SIZE") == "117"
+    assert "api_action0_strings[] PROGMEM" in main_cpp
 
 
 def test_shorthand_variables_emit_no_metadata(
@@ -113,36 +105,8 @@ def test_variable_rejects_invalid(value: object) -> None:
         validate_variable(value)
 
 
-def _oversized_action_config() -> dict:
-    return {
-        "actions": [
-            {
-                "action": "big",
-                "description": "x" * 300,
-                "variables": {"a": {"type": "string", "example": "y" * 300}},
-            }
-        ]
-    }
-
-
-def test_esp8266_rejects_actions_over_string_budget(
-    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
-) -> None:
-    set_core_config(PlatformFramework.ESP8266_ARDUINO)
-    with pytest.raises(Invalid, match="ESP8266 allows at most 384 bytes"):
-        _validate_esp8266_action_strings(_oversized_action_config())
-
-
-def test_other_platforms_have_no_string_budget(
-    set_core_config: SetCoreConfigCallable,
-) -> None:
-    set_core_config(PlatformFramework.ESP32_IDF)
-    config = _oversized_action_config()
-    assert _validate_esp8266_action_strings(config) is config
-
-
-def test_empty_metadata_is_unset_and_not_counted() -> None:
-    """An empty description or example emits nullptr and takes no scratch space."""
+def test_empty_metadata_is_unset() -> None:
+    """An empty description or example emits nullptr."""
     conf = {
         "action": "a",
         "description": "",
@@ -150,8 +114,6 @@ def test_empty_metadata_is_unset_and_not_counted() -> None:
     }
     strings = _action_strings(conf, has_metadata=True)
     assert strings == ["a", None, "b", None, "ex"]
-    # Every emitted string counts its terminator: "a" + "b" + "ex"
-    assert _action_strings_size(strings) == 2 + 2 + 3
 
 
 def test_empty_metadata_does_not_enable_the_define() -> None:
diff --git a/tests/components/core/test_progmem_string_ref.cpp b/tests/components/core/test_progmem_string_ref.cpp
index fe6dd0e24a2..1f40d53cabd 100644
--- a/tests/components/core/test_progmem_string_ref.cpp
+++ b/tests/components/core/test_progmem_string_ref.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
 
+#include "esphome/core/progmem.h"
 #include "esphome/core/string_ref.h"
 
 #include <type_traits>
@@ -39,6 +40,13 @@ TEST(ProgmemStringRef, EqualsComparesLengthAndContent) {
   EXPECT_FALSE(ref.equals(StringRef("Bedroom")));
 }
 
+TEST(ProgmemStringRef, FromLitTakesTheLengthAtCompileTime) {
+  static const char NAME[] PROGMEM = "entity_id";
+  constexpr ProgmemStringRef ref = ProgmemStringRef::from_lit(NAME);
+  static_assert(ref.size() == 9);
+  EXPECT_TRUE(ref.equals(StringRef("entity_id")));
+}
+
 TEST(ProgmemStringRef, DefaultIsEmpty) {
   ProgmemStringRef ref;
   EXPECT_TRUE(ref.empty());