diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e76955950..c41339fad 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,25 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Changed
+- **i18n: `I18nLabelSchema` now accepts `string` only** — `label`, `description`, `title`,
+  and other display-text fields across all UI schemas (`AppSchema`, `NavigationArea`,
+  `PageSchema`, `DashboardWidgetSchema`, `ReportSchema`, `ChartSchema`, `NotificationSchema`,
+  `AriaPropsSchema`, etc.) now accept only plain strings. The previous `string | I18nObject`
+  union type has been replaced with `z.string()`. i18n translation keys will be auto-generated
+  by the framework at registration time; developers only need to provide the default-language
+  string value. Translations are managed through translation files, not inline i18n objects.
+  ([#1054](https://github.com/objectstack-ai/framework/issues/1054))
+
+  **Migration:** Replace any `label: { key: '...', defaultValue: 'X' }` with `label: 'X'`.
+  Existing plain-string labels require no changes.
+
+  **Affected plugins updated:**
+  - `@objectstack/plugin-setup` — `setup-app.ts`, `setup-areas.ts`
+  - `@objectstack/plugin-auth` — navigation item labels
+  - `@objectstack/plugin-security` — navigation item labels
+  - `@objectstack/plugin-audit` — navigation item labels
+
 ### Documentation
 - **README rewrite** — Rewrote `README.md` to accurately reflect the `objectstack-ai/framework`
   repository. Updates include: corrected title ("ObjectStack Framework"), updated badges
diff --git a/packages/plugins/plugin-audit/src/audit-plugin.ts b/packages/plugins/plugin-audit/src/audit-plugin.ts
index 9ba80eac6..728a1232a 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/plugin-audit/src/audit-plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/plugin-audit/src/audit-plugin.ts
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ export class AuditPlugin implements Plugin {
         setupNav.contribute({
           areaId: 'area_system',
           items: [
-            { id: 'nav_audit_logs', type: 'object', label: { key: 'setup.nav.audit_logs', defaultValue: 'Audit Logs' }, objectName: 'audit_log', icon: 'scroll-text', order: 10 },
+            { id: 'nav_audit_logs', type: 'object', label: 'Audit Logs', objectName: 'audit_log', icon: 'scroll-text', order: 10 },
           ],
         });
         ctx.logger.info('Audit navigation items contributed to Setup App');
diff --git a/packages/plugins/plugin-auth/src/auth-plugin.ts b/packages/plugins/plugin-auth/src/auth-plugin.ts
index 2354f082e..17e8da5b6 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/plugin-auth/src/auth-plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/plugin-auth/src/auth-plugin.ts
@@ -119,11 +119,11 @@ export class AuthPlugin implements Plugin {
         setupNav.contribute({
           areaId: 'area_administration',
           items: [
-            { id: 'nav_users', type: 'object', label: { key: 'setup.nav.users', defaultValue: 'Users' }, objectName: 'user', icon: 'users', order: 10 },
-            { id: 'nav_organizations', type: 'object', label: { key: 'setup.nav.organizations', defaultValue: 'Organizations' }, objectName: 'organization', icon: 'building-2', order: 20 },
-            { id: 'nav_teams', type: 'object', label: { key: 'setup.nav.teams', defaultValue: 'Teams' }, objectName: 'team', icon: 'users-round', order: 30 },
-            { id: 'nav_api_keys', type: 'object', label: { key: 'setup.nav.api_keys', defaultValue: 'API Keys' }, objectName: 'api_key', icon: 'key', order: 40 },
-            { id: 'nav_sessions', type: 'object', label: { key: 'setup.nav.sessions', defaultValue: 'Sessions' }, objectName: 'session', icon: 'monitor', order: 50 },
+            { id: 'nav_users', type: 'object', label: 'Users', objectName: 'user', icon: 'users', order: 10 },
+            { id: 'nav_organizations', type: 'object', label: 'Organizations', objectName: 'organization', icon: 'building-2', order: 20 },
+            { id: 'nav_teams', type: 'object', label: 'Teams', objectName: 'team', icon: 'users-round', order: 30 },
+            { id: 'nav_api_keys', type: 'object', label: 'API Keys', objectName: 'api_key', icon: 'key', order: 40 },
+            { id: 'nav_sessions', type: 'object', label: 'Sessions', objectName: 'session', icon: 'monitor', order: 50 },
           ],
         });
         ctx.logger.info('Auth navigation items contributed to Setup App');
diff --git a/packages/plugins/plugin-security/src/security-plugin.ts b/packages/plugins/plugin-security/src/security-plugin.ts
index 2e66bcd10..45a037947 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/plugin-security/src/security-plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/plugin-security/src/security-plugin.ts
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ export class SecurityPlugin implements Plugin {
         setupNav.contribute({
           areaId: 'area_administration',
           items: [
-            { id: 'nav_roles', type: 'object', label: { key: 'setup.nav.roles', defaultValue: 'Roles' }, objectName: 'role', icon: 'shield-check', order: 60 },
-            { id: 'nav_permission_sets', type: 'object', label: { key: 'setup.nav.permission_sets', defaultValue: 'Permission Sets' }, objectName: 'permission_set', icon: 'lock', order: 70 },
+            { id: 'nav_roles', type: 'object', label: 'Roles', objectName: 'role', icon: 'shield-check', order: 60 },
+            { id: 'nav_permission_sets', type: 'object', label: 'Permission Sets', objectName: 'permission_set', icon: 'lock', order: 70 },
           ],
         });
         ctx.logger.info('Security navigation items contributed to Setup App');
diff --git a/packages/plugins/plugin-setup/src/setup-app.ts b/packages/plugins/plugin-setup/src/setup-app.ts
index e401b8420..169c845d3 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/plugin-setup/src/setup-app.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/plugin-setup/src/setup-app.ts
@@ -12,14 +12,8 @@ import type { App, NavigationArea, NavigationItem } from '@objectstack/spec/ui';
  */
 export const SETUP_APP_DEFAULTS: Omit<App, 'areas'> & { areas: NavigationArea[] } = {
   name: 'setup',
-  label: {
-    key: 'setup.app.label',
-    defaultValue: 'Setup',
-  },
-  description: {
-    key: 'setup.app.description',
-    defaultValue: 'Platform settings and administration',
-  },
+  label: 'Setup',
+  description: 'Platform settings and administration',
   icon: 'settings',
   active: true,
   isDefault: false,
diff --git a/packages/plugins/plugin-setup/src/setup-areas.ts b/packages/plugins/plugin-setup/src/setup-areas.ts
index ac78fd89a..5aa832822 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/plugin-setup/src/setup-areas.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/plugin-setup/src/setup-areas.ts
@@ -31,58 +31,34 @@ export type SetupAreaId = (typeof SETUP_AREA_IDS)[keyof typeof SETUP_AREA_IDS];
 export const SETUP_AREAS: readonly NavigationArea[] = [
   {
     id: SETUP_AREA_IDS.administration,
-    label: {
-      key: 'setup.areas.administration',
-      defaultValue: 'Administration',
-    },
+    label: 'Administration',
     icon: 'shield',
     order: 10,
-    description: {
-      key: 'setup.areas.administration.description',
-      defaultValue: 'User management, roles, permissions, and security settings',
-    },
+    description: 'User management, roles, permissions, and security settings',
     navigation: [],
   },
   {
     id: SETUP_AREA_IDS.platform,
-    label: {
-      key: 'setup.areas.platform',
-      defaultValue: 'Platform',
-    },
+    label: 'Platform',
     icon: 'layers',
     order: 20,
-    description: {
-      key: 'setup.areas.platform.description',
-      defaultValue: 'Objects, fields, layouts, automation, and extensibility settings',
-    },
+    description: 'Objects, fields, layouts, automation, and extensibility settings',
     navigation: [],
   },
   {
     id: SETUP_AREA_IDS.system,
-    label: {
-      key: 'setup.areas.system',
-      defaultValue: 'System',
-    },
+    label: 'System',
     icon: 'settings',
     order: 30,
-    description: {
-      key: 'setup.areas.system.description',
-      defaultValue: 'Datasources, integrations, jobs, logs, and environment configuration',
-    },
+    description: 'Datasources, integrations, jobs, logs, and environment configuration',
     navigation: [],
   },
   {
     id: SETUP_AREA_IDS.ai,
-    label: {
-      key: 'setup.areas.ai',
-      defaultValue: 'AI',
-    },
+    label: 'AI',
     icon: 'brain',
     order: 40,
-    description: {
-      key: 'setup.areas.ai.description',
-      defaultValue: 'AI agents, model registry, RAG pipelines, and intelligence settings',
-    },
+    description: 'AI agents, model registry, RAG pipelines, and intelligence settings',
     navigation: [],
   },
 ] as const;
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/action.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/action.test.ts
index 87e227008..a724b3655 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/action.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/action.test.ts
@@ -530,28 +530,28 @@ describe('Action Factory', () => {
 });
 
 describe('Action I18n Integration', () => {
-  it('should accept i18n object as action label', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n object as action label', () => {
     expect(() => ActionSchema.parse({
       name: 'i18n_action',
       label: { key: 'actions.approve', defaultValue: 'Approve' },
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n as confirmText and successMessage', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n as confirmText and successMessage', () => {
     expect(() => ActionSchema.parse({
       name: 'i18n_confirm',
       label: 'Delete',
       confirmText: { key: 'actions.confirm_delete', defaultValue: 'Are you sure?' },
       successMessage: { key: 'actions.delete_success', defaultValue: 'Deleted!' },
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n in param labels', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n in param labels', () => {
     expect(() => ActionParamSchema.parse({
       name: 'reason',
       label: { key: 'params.reason', defaultValue: 'Reason' },
       type: 'textarea',
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n in param option labels', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n in param option labels', () => {
     expect(() => ActionParamSchema.parse({
       name: 'priority',
       label: 'Priority',
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ describe('Action I18n Integration', () => {
         { label: { key: 'options.high', defaultValue: 'High' }, value: 'high' },
         { label: { key: 'options.low', defaultValue: 'Low' }, value: 'low' },
       ],
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 });
 
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/animation.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/animation.test.ts
index c08ef46fb..2ebf42db2 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/animation.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/animation.test.ts
@@ -197,11 +197,10 @@ describe('Type exports', () => {
 });
 
 describe('I18n and ARIA integration', () => {
-  it('should accept I18n label on ComponentAnimationSchema', () => {
-    const result = ComponentAnimationSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject I18n label on ComponentAnimationSchema', () => {
+    expect(() => ComponentAnimationSchema.parse({
       label: { key: 'animations.card_enter', defaultValue: 'Card Enter' },
-    });
-    expect(result.label).toEqual({ key: 'animations.card_enter', defaultValue: 'Card Enter' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept plain string label on ComponentAnimationSchema', () => {
@@ -220,11 +219,10 @@ describe('I18n and ARIA integration', () => {
     expect(result.role).toBe('presentation');
   });
 
-  it('should accept I18n label on MotionConfigSchema', () => {
-    const result = MotionConfigSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject I18n label on MotionConfigSchema', () => {
+    expect(() => MotionConfigSchema.parse({
       label: { key: 'motion.global', defaultValue: 'Global Motion Config' },
-    });
-    expect(result.label).toEqual({ key: 'motion.global', defaultValue: 'Global Motion Config' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should leave I18n/ARIA fields undefined when not provided', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/chart.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/chart.test.ts
index 24ece3fd9..878746616 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/chart.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/chart.test.ts
@@ -210,20 +210,19 @@ describe('Real-World Chart Configuration Examples', () => {
 });
 
 describe('Chart I18n Integration', () => {
-  it('should accept i18n object as chart title', () => {
-    const result = ChartConfigSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject i18n object as chart title', () => {
+    expect(() => ChartConfigSchema.parse({
       type: 'bar',
       title: { key: 'charts.sales', defaultValue: 'Sales Chart' },
-    });
-    expect(typeof result.title).toBe('object');
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n as chart subtitle and description', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n as chart subtitle and description', () => {
     expect(() => ChartConfigSchema.parse({
       type: 'line',
       title: 'Revenue',
       subtitle: { key: 'charts.subtitle', defaultValue: 'Monthly breakdown' },
       description: { key: 'charts.desc', defaultValue: 'Revenue over time' },
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 });
 
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/dashboard.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/dashboard.test.ts
index 09d17a086..7efac76be 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/dashboard.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/dashboard.test.ts
@@ -576,30 +576,30 @@ describe('Dashboard Factory', () => {
 });
 
 describe('Dashboard I18n Integration', () => {
-  it('should accept i18n object as dashboard label', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n object as dashboard label', () => {
     expect(() => DashboardSchema.parse({
       name: 'i18n_dashboard',
       label: { key: 'dashboards.sales', defaultValue: 'Sales Dashboard' },
       widgets: [],
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n object as dashboard description', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n object as dashboard description', () => {
     expect(() => DashboardSchema.parse({
       name: 'test_dashboard',
       label: 'Test',
       description: { key: 'dashboards.test.desc', defaultValue: 'Test dashboard' },
       widgets: [],
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n object as widget title', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n object as widget title', () => {
     expect(() => DashboardWidgetSchema.parse({
       id: 'total_revenue',
       title: { key: 'widgets.revenue', defaultValue: 'Total Revenue' },
       type: 'metric',
       layout: { x: 0, y: 0, w: 3, h: 2 },
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n object in global filter label', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n object in global filter label', () => {
     expect(() => DashboardSchema.parse({
       name: 'filter_dash',
       label: 'Filtered',
@@ -609,7 +609,7 @@ describe('Dashboard I18n Integration', () => {
         label: { key: 'filters.status', defaultValue: 'Status' },
         type: 'select',
       }],
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 });
 
@@ -783,15 +783,14 @@ describe('DashboardWidgetSchema - description', () => {
     expect(result.description).toBe('Year-to-date total revenue');
   });
 
-  it('should accept widget with i18n description', () => {
-    const result = DashboardWidgetSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject widget with i18n description', () => {
+    expect(() => DashboardWidgetSchema.parse({
       id: 'revenue_i18n',
       title: 'Revenue',
       description: { key: 'widgets.revenue.desc', defaultValue: 'Total revenue' },
       type: 'metric',
       layout: { x: 0, y: 0, w: 3, h: 2 },
-    });
-    expect(result.description).toEqual({ key: 'widgets.revenue.desc', defaultValue: 'Total revenue' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept widget without description (optional)', () => {
@@ -1043,15 +1042,14 @@ describe('GlobalFilterSchema', () => {
     expect(result.options![0].label).toBe('High');
   });
 
-  it('should accept filter with i18n option labels', () => {
-    const result = GlobalFilterSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject filter with i18n option labels', () => {
+    expect(() => GlobalFilterSchema.parse({
       field: 'priority',
       type: 'select',
       options: [
         { value: 'high', label: { key: 'filter.priority.high', defaultValue: 'High' } },
       ],
-    });
-    expect(result.options![0].label).toEqual({ key: 'filter.priority.high', defaultValue: 'High' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept filter with optionsFrom (dynamic binding)', () => {
@@ -1295,12 +1293,11 @@ describe('DashboardHeaderActionSchema', () => {
     expect(result.icon).toBe('play');
   });
 
-  it('should accept i18n label', () => {
-    const result = DashboardHeaderActionSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject i18n label', () => {
+    expect(() => DashboardHeaderActionSchema.parse({
       label: { key: 'actions.export', defaultValue: 'Export' },
       actionUrl: '/export',
-    });
-    expect(result.label).toEqual({ key: 'actions.export', defaultValue: 'Export' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should reject action without required fields', () => {
@@ -1429,13 +1426,12 @@ describe('WidgetMeasureSchema', () => {
     expect(result.format).toBe('$0,0.00');
   });
 
-  it('should accept measure with i18n label', () => {
-    const result = WidgetMeasureSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject measure with i18n label', () => {
+    expect(() => WidgetMeasureSchema.parse({
       valueField: 'quantity',
       aggregate: 'avg',
       label: { key: 'measures.avg_qty', defaultValue: 'Average Quantity' },
-    });
-    expect(result.label).toEqual({ key: 'measures.avg_qty', defaultValue: 'Average Quantity' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept all aggregate functions', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/dnd.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/dnd.test.ts
index 85c1c9476..db3b96fa9 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/dnd.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/dnd.test.ts
@@ -190,12 +190,11 @@ describe('Type exports', () => {
 });
 
 describe('I18n and ARIA integration', () => {
-  it('should accept I18n label on DropZoneSchema', () => {
-    const result = DropZoneSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject I18n label on DropZoneSchema', () => {
+    expect(() => DropZoneSchema.parse({
       accept: ['card'],
       label: { key: 'dnd.drop_zone', defaultValue: 'Drop items here' },
-    });
-    expect(result.label).toEqual({ key: 'dnd.drop_zone', defaultValue: 'Drop items here' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept ARIA props on DropZoneSchema', () => {
@@ -216,14 +215,12 @@ describe('I18n and ARIA integration', () => {
     expect(result.label).toBe('Drag this card');
   });
 
-  it('should accept ARIA props on DragItemSchema', () => {
-    const result = DragItemSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject ARIA props on DragItemSchema', () => {
+    expect(() => DragItemSchema.parse({
       type: 'row',
       ariaLabel: { key: 'dnd.drag_row', defaultValue: 'Draggable row' },
       ariaDescribedBy: 'row-desc',
-    });
-    expect(result.ariaLabel).toEqual({ key: 'dnd.drag_row', defaultValue: 'Draggable row' });
-    expect(result.ariaDescribedBy).toBe('row-desc');
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should leave I18n/ARIA fields undefined when not provided', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/i18n.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/i18n.test.ts
index deb15ad02..f40d76eab 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/i18n.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/i18n.test.ts
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ describe('I18nObjectSchema', () => {
 });
 
 describe('I18nLabelSchema', () => {
-  it('should accept plain string (backward compatible)', () => {
+  it('should accept plain string', () => {
     const result = I18nLabelSchema.parse('All Active');
     expect(result).toBe('All Active');
   });
@@ -57,29 +57,22 @@ describe('I18nLabelSchema', () => {
     expect(result).toBe('');
   });
 
-  it('should accept i18n object', () => {
-    const label: I18nLabel = {
+  it('should reject i18n object (no longer accepted)', () => {
+    expect(() => I18nLabelSchema.parse({
       key: 'views.task_list.label',
       defaultValue: 'Task List',
-    };
-
-    const result = I18nLabelSchema.parse(label);
-    expect(typeof result).toBe('object');
-    expect((result as I18nObject).key).toBe('views.task_list.label');
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
-  it('should accept i18n object with params', () => {
-    const label = {
+  it('should reject i18n object with params', () => {
+    expect(() => I18nLabelSchema.parse({
       key: 'common.item_count',
       defaultValue: '{count} items',
       params: { count: 42 },
-    };
-
-    const result = I18nLabelSchema.parse(label);
-    expect((result as I18nObject).params).toEqual({ count: 42 });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
-  it('should reject non-string, non-object values', () => {
+  it('should reject non-string values', () => {
     expect(() => I18nLabelSchema.parse(123)).toThrow();
     expect(() => I18nLabelSchema.parse(true)).toThrow();
     expect(() => I18nLabelSchema.parse(null)).toThrow();
@@ -104,17 +97,22 @@ describe('AriaPropsSchema', () => {
     expect(result.ariaLabel).toBe('Close dialog');
   });
 
-  it('should accept ariaLabel as i18n object', () => {
+  it('should accept ariaLabel as string only', () => {
     const props = {
+      ariaLabel: 'Close dialog',
+    };
+
+    const result = AriaPropsSchema.parse(props);
+    expect(result.ariaLabel).toBe('Close dialog');
+  });
+
+  it('should reject ariaLabel as i18n object (no longer accepted)', () => {
+    expect(() => AriaPropsSchema.parse({
       ariaLabel: {
         key: 'common.close_dialog',
         defaultValue: 'Close dialog',
       },
-    };
-
-    const result = AriaPropsSchema.parse(props);
-    expect(typeof result.ariaLabel).toBe('object');
-    expect((result.ariaLabel as I18nObject).key).toBe('common.close_dialog');
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept all ARIA properties', () => {
@@ -139,20 +137,23 @@ describe('AriaPropsSchema', () => {
   });
 });
 
-describe('I18n Integration (backward compatibility)', () => {
-  it('should seamlessly support both string and object in same context', () => {
-    // Simulates a record with mixed label types (migration scenario)
+describe('I18n Integration', () => {
+  it('should only accept string labels', () => {
     const labels: I18nLabel[] = [
       'Plain String Label',
-      { key: 'labels.translated', defaultValue: 'Translated Label' },
       'Another Plain String',
-      { key: 'labels.with_params', params: { count: 10 } },
+      'Setup',
     ];
 
     labels.forEach(label => {
       expect(() => I18nLabelSchema.parse(label)).not.toThrow();
     });
   });
+
+  it('should reject i18n objects in label context', () => {
+    expect(() => I18nLabelSchema.parse({ key: 'labels.translated', defaultValue: 'Translated Label' })).toThrow();
+    expect(() => I18nLabelSchema.parse({ key: 'labels.with_params', params: { count: 10 } })).toThrow();
+  });
 });
 
 describe('PluralRuleSchema', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/i18n.zod.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/i18n.zod.ts
index fade950e1..8e6f40d38 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/i18n.zod.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/i18n.zod.ts
@@ -29,32 +29,20 @@ export const I18nObjectSchema = z.object({
 export type I18nObject = z.infer<typeof I18nObjectSchema>;
 
 /**
- * I18n Label Schema (Union)
+ * I18n Label Schema
  * 
- * Supports two modes for backward compatibility:
- * 1. **Plain string** — Direct label text (legacy/simple usage)
- * 2. **I18n object** — Structured translation key with parameters
+ * A plain string label for display purposes.
+ * i18n translation keys are auto-generated by the framework at registration time
+ * based on a standardized naming convention (e.g., `apps.<packageId>.<name>.label`).
+ * Developers only need to provide the default-language string; translations are
+ * managed through translation files, not inline i18n objects.
  * 
- * This union type allows gradual migration from hardcoded strings
- * to fully internationalized labels without breaking existing configurations.
- * 
- * @example Plain string (backward compatible)
+ * @example
  * ```typescript
  * const label: I18nLabel = "All Active";
  * ```
- * 
- * @example I18n object
- * ```typescript
- * const label: I18nLabel = {
- *   key: "views.task_list.label",
- *   defaultValue: "Task List",
- * };
- * ```
  */
-export const I18nLabelSchema = z.union([
-  z.string(),
-  I18nObjectSchema,
-]).describe('Display label: plain string or i18n translation object');
+export const I18nLabelSchema = z.string().describe('Display label (plain string; i18n keys are auto-generated by the framework)');
 
 export type I18nLabel = z.infer<typeof I18nLabelSchema>;
 
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/keyboard.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/keyboard.test.ts
index db5559ac4..67cafd976 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/keyboard.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/keyboard.test.ts
@@ -152,13 +152,12 @@ describe('Type exports', () => {
 });
 
 describe('I18n and ARIA integration', () => {
-  it('should accept I18n description on KeyboardShortcutSchema', () => {
-    const result = KeyboardShortcutSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject I18n description on KeyboardShortcutSchema', () => {
+    expect(() => KeyboardShortcutSchema.parse({
       key: 'Ctrl+S',
       action: 'save',
       description: { key: 'shortcuts.save', defaultValue: 'Save the current document' },
-    });
-    expect(result.description).toEqual({ key: 'shortcuts.save', defaultValue: 'Save the current document' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept plain string description on KeyboardShortcutSchema', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/notification.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/notification.test.ts
index 2fd139932..d05894697 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/notification.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/notification.test.ts
@@ -180,12 +180,11 @@ describe('ARIA integration', () => {
     expect(result.role).toBe('alert');
   });
 
-  it('should accept I18n ariaLabel on NotificationSchema', () => {
-    const result = NotificationSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject I18n ariaLabel on NotificationSchema', () => {
+    expect(() => NotificationSchema.parse({
       message: 'Error occurred',
       ariaLabel: { key: 'notifications.error_alert', defaultValue: 'Error alert' },
-    });
-    expect(result.ariaLabel).toEqual({ key: 'notifications.error_alert', defaultValue: 'Error alert' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should leave ARIA fields undefined when not provided', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/offline.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/offline.test.ts
index f9b7575f3..7d6ee8d36 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/offline.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/offline.test.ts
@@ -163,11 +163,10 @@ describe('Type exports', () => {
 });
 
 describe('I18n integration', () => {
-  it('should accept I18n offlineMessage on OfflineConfigSchema', () => {
-    const result = OfflineConfigSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject I18n offlineMessage on OfflineConfigSchema', () => {
+    expect(() => OfflineConfigSchema.parse({
       offlineMessage: { key: 'offline.status', defaultValue: 'You are offline' },
-    });
-    expect(result.offlineMessage).toEqual({ key: 'offline.status', defaultValue: 'You are offline' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept plain string offlineMessage', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/page.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/page.test.ts
index 34517b115..2ce30d188 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/page.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/page.test.ts
@@ -421,27 +421,27 @@ describe('PageSchema', () => {
 });
 
 describe('Page I18n Integration', () => {
-  it('should accept i18n object as page label', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n object as page label', () => {
     expect(() => PageSchema.parse({
       name: 'i18n_page',
       label: { key: 'pages.dashboard', defaultValue: 'Dashboard' },
       regions: [],
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n as page description', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n as page description', () => {
     expect(() => PageSchema.parse({
       name: 'desc_page',
       label: 'Test',
       description: { key: 'pages.test.desc', defaultValue: 'A test page' },
       regions: [],
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n as component label', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n as component label', () => {
     expect(() => PageComponentSchema.parse({
       type: 'page:header',
       label: { key: 'components.header', defaultValue: 'Header' },
       properties: {},
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 });
 
@@ -700,12 +700,12 @@ describe('PageSchema with page types', () => {
     expect(page.icon).toBe('bar-chart');
   });
 
-  it('should accept page with i18n label', () => {
+  it('should reject page with i18n label', () => {
     expect(() => PageSchema.parse({
       name: 'i18n_page',
       label: { key: 'pages.overview', defaultValue: 'Overview' },
       regions: [],
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept page with ARIA attributes', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/report.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/report.test.ts
index 7fa2c3ed9..16a3098e9 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/report.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/report.test.ts
@@ -430,20 +430,19 @@ describe('ReportSchema', () => {
 });
 
 describe('Report I18n Integration', () => {
-  it('should accept i18n object as report label', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n object as report label', () => {
     expect(() => ReportSchema.parse({
       name: 'i18n_report',
       label: { key: 'reports.sales', defaultValue: 'Sales Report' },
       objectName: 'opportunity',
       columns: [{ field: 'name' }],
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n object as column label', () => {
-    const result = ReportColumnSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject i18n object as column label', () => {
+    expect(() => ReportColumnSchema.parse({
       field: 'amount',
       label: { key: 'columns.amount', defaultValue: 'Amount' },
-    });
-    expect(typeof result.label).toBe('object');
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 });
 
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/touch.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/touch.test.ts
index aafb00d0a..cc63c0d18 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/touch.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/touch.test.ts
@@ -167,12 +167,11 @@ describe('Type exports', () => {
 });
 
 describe('I18n and ARIA integration', () => {
-  it('should accept I18n label on GestureConfigSchema', () => {
-    const result = GestureConfigSchema.parse({
+  it('should reject I18n label on GestureConfigSchema', () => {
+    expect(() => GestureConfigSchema.parse({
       type: 'swipe',
       label: { key: 'gestures.swipe_left', defaultValue: 'Swipe to delete' },
-    });
-    expect(result.label).toEqual({ key: 'gestures.swipe_left', defaultValue: 'Swipe to delete' });
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 
   it('should accept plain string label on GestureConfigSchema', () => {
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/widget.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/widget.test.ts
index 0c17cd68b..a49606420 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/widget.test.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/widget.test.ts
@@ -330,19 +330,18 @@ describe('FieldWidgetPropsSchema', () => {
 });
 
 describe('Widget I18n Integration', () => {
-  it('should accept i18n object as widget manifest label', () => {
-    const manifest: z.input<typeof WidgetManifestSchema> = {
+  it('should reject i18n object as widget manifest label', () => {
+    expect(() => WidgetManifestSchema.parse({
       name: 'i18n_widget',
       label: { key: 'widgets.date_picker', defaultValue: 'Date Picker' },
-    };
-    expect(() => WidgetManifestSchema.parse(manifest)).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
-  it('should accept i18n as widget description', () => {
+  it('should reject i18n as widget description', () => {
     expect(() => WidgetManifestSchema.parse({
       name: 'desc_widget',
       label: 'Test Widget',
       description: { key: 'widgets.test.desc', defaultValue: 'A test widget' },
-    })).not.toThrow();
+    })).toThrow();
   });
 });