diff --git a/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/ac_dimmer.cpp b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/ac_dimmer.cpp
index 04c01948c8..1e850a18fe 100644
--- a/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/ac_dimmer.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/ac_dimmer.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-#ifdef USE_ARDUINO
-
 #include "ac_dimmer.h"
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
@@ -9,12 +7,12 @@
 #ifdef USE_ESP8266
 #include <core_esp8266_waveform.h>
 #endif
-#ifdef USE_ESP32_FRAMEWORK_ARDUINO
-#include <esp32-hal-timer.h>
+
+#ifdef USE_ESP32
+#include "hw_timer_esp_idf.h"
 #endif
 
-namespace esphome {
-namespace ac_dimmer {
+namespace esphome::ac_dimmer {
 
 static const char *const TAG = "ac_dimmer";
 
@@ -27,7 +25,14 @@ static AcDimmerDataStore *all_dimmers[32];  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-no
 /// However other factors like gate driver propagation time
 /// are also considered and a really low value is not important
 /// See also: https://github.com/esphome/issues/issues/1632
-static const uint32_t GATE_ENABLE_TIME = 50;
+static constexpr uint32_t GATE_ENABLE_TIME = 50;
+
+#ifdef USE_ESP32
+/// Timer frequency in Hz (1 MHz = 1µs resolution)
+static constexpr uint32_t TIMER_FREQUENCY_HZ = 1000000;
+/// Timer interrupt interval in microseconds
+static constexpr uint64_t TIMER_INTERVAL_US = 50;
+#endif
 
 /// Function called from timer interrupt
 /// Input is current time in microseconds (micros())
@@ -154,7 +159,7 @@ void IRAM_ATTR HOT AcDimmerDataStore::s_gpio_intr(AcDimmerDataStore *store) {
 #ifdef USE_ESP32
 // ESP32 implementation, uses basically the same code but needs to wrap
 // timer_interrupt() function to auto-reschedule
-static hw_timer_t *dimmer_timer = nullptr;  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-non-const-global-variables)
+static HWTimer *dimmer_timer = nullptr;  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-non-const-global-variables)
 void IRAM_ATTR HOT AcDimmerDataStore::s_timer_intr() { timer_interrupt(); }
 #endif
 
@@ -194,15 +199,15 @@ void AcDimmer::setup() {
   setTimer1Callback(&timer_interrupt);
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_ESP32
-  // timer frequency of 1mhz
-  dimmer_timer = timerBegin(1000000);
-  timerAttachInterrupt(dimmer_timer, &AcDimmerDataStore::s_timer_intr);
+  dimmer_timer = timer_begin(TIMER_FREQUENCY_HZ);
+  timer_attach_interrupt(dimmer_timer, &AcDimmerDataStore::s_timer_intr);
   // For ESP32, we can't use dynamic interval calculation because the timerX functions
   // are not callable from ISR (placed in flash storage).
   // Here we just use an interrupt firing every 50 µs.
-  timerAlarm(dimmer_timer, 50, true, 0);
+  timer_alarm(dimmer_timer, TIMER_INTERVAL_US, true, 0);
 #endif
 }
+
 void AcDimmer::write_state(float state) {
   state = std::acos(1 - (2 * state)) / std::numbers::pi;  // RMS power compensation
   auto new_value = static_cast<uint16_t>(roundf(state * 65535));
@@ -210,6 +215,7 @@ void AcDimmer::write_state(float state) {
     this->store_.init_cycle = this->init_with_half_cycle_;
   this->store_.value = new_value;
 }
+
 void AcDimmer::dump_config() {
   ESP_LOGCONFIG(TAG,
                 "AcDimmer:\n"
@@ -230,7 +236,4 @@ void AcDimmer::dump_config() {
   ESP_LOGV(TAG, "  Estimated Frequency: %.3fHz", 1e6f / this->store_.cycle_time_us / 2);
 }
 
-}  // namespace ac_dimmer
-}  // namespace esphome
-
-#endif  // USE_ARDUINO
+}  // namespace esphome::ac_dimmer
diff --git a/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/ac_dimmer.h b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/ac_dimmer.h
index fd1bbc28db..ca2a19210a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/ac_dimmer.h
+++ b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/ac_dimmer.h
@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
 #pragma once
 
-#ifdef USE_ARDUINO
-
 #include "esphome/core/component.h"
 #include "esphome/core/hal.h"
 #include "esphome/components/output/float_output.h"
 
-namespace esphome {
-namespace ac_dimmer {
+namespace esphome::ac_dimmer {
 
 enum DimMethod { DIM_METHOD_LEADING_PULSE = 0, DIM_METHOD_LEADING, DIM_METHOD_TRAILING };
 
@@ -64,7 +61,4 @@ class AcDimmer : public output::FloatOutput, public Component {
   DimMethod method_;
 };
 
-}  // namespace ac_dimmer
-}  // namespace esphome
-
-#endif  // USE_ARDUINO
+}  // namespace esphome::ac_dimmer
diff --git a/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/hw_timer_esp_idf.cpp b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/hw_timer_esp_idf.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..543b476085
--- /dev/null
+++ b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/hw_timer_esp_idf.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+#ifdef USE_ESP32
+
+#include "hw_timer_esp_idf.h"
+
+#include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h"
+#include "esphome/core/log.h"
+
+#include "driver/gptimer.h"
+#include "esp_clk_tree.h"
+#include "soc/clk_tree_defs.h"
+
+static const char *const TAG = "hw_timer_esp_idf";
+
+namespace esphome::ac_dimmer {
+
+// GPTimer divider constraints from ESP-IDF documentation
+static constexpr uint32_t GPTIMER_DIVIDER_MIN = 2;
+static constexpr uint32_t GPTIMER_DIVIDER_MAX = 65536;
+
+using voidFuncPtr = void (*)();
+using voidFuncPtrArg = void (*)(void *);
+
+struct InterruptConfigT {
+  voidFuncPtr fn{nullptr};
+  void *arg{nullptr};
+};
+
+struct HWTimer {
+  gptimer_handle_t timer_handle{nullptr};
+  InterruptConfigT interrupt_handle{};
+  bool timer_started{false};
+};
+
+HWTimer *timer_begin(uint32_t frequency) {
+  esp_err_t err = ESP_OK;
+  uint32_t counter_src_hz = 0;
+  uint32_t divider = 0;
+  soc_module_clk_t clk;
+  for (auto clk_candidate : SOC_GPTIMER_CLKS) {
+    clk = clk_candidate;
+    esp_clk_tree_src_get_freq_hz(clk, ESP_CLK_TREE_SRC_FREQ_PRECISION_CACHED, &counter_src_hz);
+    divider = counter_src_hz / frequency;
+    if ((divider >= GPTIMER_DIVIDER_MIN) && (divider <= GPTIMER_DIVIDER_MAX)) {
+      break;
+    } else {
+      divider = 0;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (divider == 0) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Resolution not possible; aborting");
+    return nullptr;
+  }
+
+  gptimer_config_t config = {
+      .clk_src = static_cast<gptimer_clock_source_t>(clk),
+      .direction = GPTIMER_COUNT_UP,
+      .resolution_hz = frequency,
+      .flags = {.intr_shared = true},
+  };
+
+  HWTimer *timer = new HWTimer();
+
+  err = gptimer_new_timer(&config, &timer->timer_handle);
+  if (err != ESP_OK) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "GPTimer creation failed; error %d", err);
+    delete timer;
+    return nullptr;
+  }
+
+  err = gptimer_enable(timer->timer_handle);
+  if (err != ESP_OK) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "GPTimer enable failed; error %d", err);
+    gptimer_del_timer(timer->timer_handle);
+    delete timer;
+    return nullptr;
+  }
+
+  err = gptimer_start(timer->timer_handle);
+  if (err != ESP_OK) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "GPTimer start failed; error %d", err);
+    gptimer_disable(timer->timer_handle);
+    gptimer_del_timer(timer->timer_handle);
+    delete timer;
+    return nullptr;
+  }
+
+  timer->timer_started = true;
+  return timer;
+}
+
+bool IRAM_ATTR timer_fn_wrapper(gptimer_handle_t timer, const gptimer_alarm_event_data_t *edata, void *args) {
+  auto *isr = static_cast<InterruptConfigT *>(args);
+  if (isr->fn) {
+    if (isr->arg) {
+      reinterpret_cast<voidFuncPtrArg>(isr->fn)(isr->arg);
+    } else {
+      isr->fn();
+    }
+  }
+  // Return false to indicate that no higher-priority task was woken and no context switch is requested.
+  return false;
+}
+
+static void timer_attach_interrupt_functional_arg(HWTimer *timer, void (*user_func)(void *), void *arg) {
+  if (timer == nullptr) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Timer handle is nullptr");
+    return;
+  }
+  gptimer_event_callbacks_t cbs = {
+      .on_alarm = timer_fn_wrapper,
+  };
+
+  timer->interrupt_handle.fn = reinterpret_cast<voidFuncPtr>(user_func);
+  timer->interrupt_handle.arg = arg;
+
+  if (timer->timer_started) {
+    gptimer_stop(timer->timer_handle);
+  }
+  gptimer_disable(timer->timer_handle);
+  esp_err_t err = gptimer_register_event_callbacks(timer->timer_handle, &cbs, &timer->interrupt_handle);
+  if (err != ESP_OK) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Timer Attach Interrupt failed; error %d", err);
+  }
+  gptimer_enable(timer->timer_handle);
+  if (timer->timer_started) {
+    gptimer_start(timer->timer_handle);
+  }
+}
+
+void timer_attach_interrupt(HWTimer *timer, voidFuncPtr user_func) {
+  timer_attach_interrupt_functional_arg(timer, reinterpret_cast<voidFuncPtrArg>(user_func), nullptr);
+}
+
+void timer_alarm(HWTimer *timer, uint64_t alarm_value, bool autoreload, uint64_t reload_count) {
+  if (timer == nullptr) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Timer handle is nullptr");
+    return;
+  }
+  gptimer_alarm_config_t alarm_cfg = {
+      .alarm_count = alarm_value,
+      .reload_count = reload_count,
+      .flags = {.auto_reload_on_alarm = autoreload},
+  };
+  esp_err_t err = gptimer_set_alarm_action(timer->timer_handle, &alarm_cfg);
+  if (err != ESP_OK) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Timer Alarm Write failed; error %d", err);
+  }
+}
+
+}  // namespace esphome::ac_dimmer
+#endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/hw_timer_esp_idf.h b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/hw_timer_esp_idf.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1b2401ebda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/hw_timer_esp_idf.h
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#pragma once
+#ifdef USE_ESP32
+
+#include "driver/gptimer_types.h"
+
+namespace esphome::ac_dimmer {
+
+struct HWTimer;
+
+HWTimer *timer_begin(uint32_t frequency);
+
+void timer_attach_interrupt(HWTimer *timer, void (*user_func)());
+void timer_alarm(HWTimer *timer, uint64_t alarm_value, bool autoreload, uint64_t reload_count);
+
+}  // namespace esphome::ac_dimmer
+
+#endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/output.py b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/output.py
index 9f9afb6d80..efc24b65e7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/output.py
+++ b/esphome/components/ac_dimmer/output.py
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
             ),
         }
     ).extend(cv.COMPONENT_SCHEMA),
-    cv.only_with_arduino,
 )
 
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
index 4ececfec94..336672f50b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
@@ -186,14 +186,17 @@ void APIServer::loop() {
     }
 
     // Rare case: handle disconnection
-#ifdef USE_API_CLIENT_DISCONNECTED_TRIGGER
-    this->client_disconnected_trigger_->trigger(std::string(client->get_name()), std::string(client->get_peername()));
-#endif
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_RESPONSES
     this->unregister_active_action_calls_for_connection(client.get());
 #endif
     ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Remove connection %s", client->get_name());
 
+#ifdef USE_API_CLIENT_DISCONNECTED_TRIGGER
+    // Save client info before removal for the trigger
+    std::string client_name(client->get_name());
+    std::string client_peername(client->get_peername());
+#endif
+
     // Swap with the last element and pop (avoids expensive vector shifts)
     if (client_index < this->clients_.size() - 1) {
       std::swap(this->clients_[client_index], this->clients_.back());
@@ -205,6 +208,11 @@ void APIServer::loop() {
       this->status_set_warning();
       this->last_connected_ = App.get_loop_component_start_time();
     }
+
+#ifdef USE_API_CLIENT_DISCONNECTED_TRIGGER
+    // Fire trigger after client is removed so api.connected reflects the true state
+    this->client_disconnected_trigger_->trigger(client_name, client_peername);
+#endif
     // Don't increment client_index since we need to process the swapped element
   }
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/proto.h b/esphome/components/api/proto.h
index 2d93adbb47..a336a9493d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/proto.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/proto.h
@@ -39,6 +39,24 @@ inline constexpr int64_t decode_zigzag64(uint64_t value) {
   return (value & 1) ? static_cast<int64_t>(~(value >> 1)) : static_cast<int64_t>(value >> 1);
 }
 
+/// Count number of varints in a packed buffer
+inline uint16_t count_packed_varints(const uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
+  uint16_t count = 0;
+  while (len > 0) {
+    // Skip varint bytes until we find one without continuation bit
+    while (len > 0 && (*data & 0x80)) {
+      data++;
+      len--;
+    }
+    if (len > 0) {
+      data++;
+      len--;
+      count++;
+    }
+  }
+  return count;
+}
+
 /*
  * StringRef Ownership Model for API Protocol Messages
  * ===================================================
@@ -180,9 +198,10 @@ class ProtoVarInt {
   uint64_t value_;
 };
 
-// Forward declaration for decode_to_message and encode_to_writer
-class ProtoMessage;
+// Forward declarations for decode_to_message, encode_message and encode_packed_sint32
 class ProtoDecodableMessage;
+class ProtoMessage;
+class ProtoSize;
 
 class ProtoLengthDelimited {
  public:
@@ -334,6 +353,8 @@ class ProtoWriteBuffer {
   void encode_sint64(uint32_t field_id, int64_t value, bool force = false) {
     this->encode_uint64(field_id, encode_zigzag64(value), force);
   }
+  /// Encode a packed repeated sint32 field (zero-copy from vector)
+  void encode_packed_sint32(uint32_t field_id, const std::vector<int32_t> &values);
   void encode_message(uint32_t field_id, const ProtoMessage &value);
   std::vector<uint8_t> *get_buffer() const { return buffer_; }
 
@@ -341,9 +362,6 @@ class ProtoWriteBuffer {
   std::vector<uint8_t> *buffer_;
 };
 
-// Forward declaration
-class ProtoSize;
-
 class ProtoMessage {
  public:
   virtual ~ProtoMessage() = default;
@@ -792,8 +810,43 @@ class ProtoSize {
       }
     }
   }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Calculate size of a packed repeated sint32 field
+   */
+  inline void add_packed_sint32(uint32_t field_id_size, const std::vector<int32_t> &values) {
+    if (values.empty())
+      return;
+
+    size_t packed_size = 0;
+    for (int value : values) {
+      packed_size += varint(encode_zigzag32(value));
+    }
+
+    // field_id + length varint + packed data
+    total_size_ += field_id_size + varint(static_cast<uint32_t>(packed_size)) + static_cast<uint32_t>(packed_size);
+  }
 };
 
+// Implementation of encode_packed_sint32 - must be after ProtoSize is defined
+inline void ProtoWriteBuffer::encode_packed_sint32(uint32_t field_id, const std::vector<int32_t> &values) {
+  if (values.empty())
+    return;
+
+  // Calculate packed size
+  size_t packed_size = 0;
+  for (int value : values) {
+    packed_size += ProtoSize::varint(encode_zigzag32(value));
+  }
+
+  // Write tag (LENGTH_DELIMITED) + length + all zigzag-encoded values
+  this->encode_field_raw(field_id, WIRE_TYPE_LENGTH_DELIMITED);
+  this->encode_varint_raw(packed_size);
+  for (int value : values) {
+    this->encode_varint_raw(encode_zigzag32(value));
+  }
+}
+
 // Implementation of encode_message - must be after ProtoMessage is defined
 inline void ProtoWriteBuffer::encode_message(uint32_t field_id, const ProtoMessage &value) {
   this->encode_field_raw(field_id, 2);  // type 2: Length-delimited message
diff --git a/esphome/components/hub75/display.py b/esphome/components/hub75/display.py
index 40202e52ca..20c731e730 100644
--- a/esphome/components/hub75/display.py
+++ b/esphome/components/hub75/display.py
@@ -550,12 +550,12 @@ async def to_code(config: ConfigType) -> None:
         ref="0.2.2",
     )
 
-    # Set compile-time configuration via defines
+    # Set compile-time configuration via build flags (so external library sees them)
     if CONF_BIT_DEPTH in config:
-        cg.add_define("HUB75_BIT_DEPTH", config[CONF_BIT_DEPTH])
+        cg.add_build_flag(f"-DHUB75_BIT_DEPTH={config[CONF_BIT_DEPTH]}")
 
     if CONF_GAMMA_CORRECT in config:
-        cg.add_define("HUB75_GAMMA_MODE", config[CONF_GAMMA_CORRECT])
+        cg.add_build_flag(f"-DHUB75_GAMMA_MODE={config[CONF_GAMMA_CORRECT].enum_value}")
 
     # Await all pin expressions
     pin_expressions = {
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.cpp b/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.cpp
index 34aba236b3..2f1c107bf4 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.cpp
@@ -128,6 +128,39 @@ void RemoteReceiverBase::call_dumpers_() {
 
 void RemoteReceiverBinarySensorBase::dump_config() { LOG_BINARY_SENSOR("", "Remote Receiver Binary Sensor", this); }
 
+/* RemoteTransmitData */
+
+void RemoteTransmitData::set_data_from_packed_sint32(const uint8_t *data, size_t len, size_t count) {
+  this->data_.clear();
+  this->data_.reserve(count);
+
+  while (len > 0) {
+    // Parse varint (inline, no dependency on api component)
+    uint32_t raw = 0;
+    uint32_t shift = 0;
+    uint32_t consumed = 0;
+    for (; consumed < len && consumed < 5; consumed++) {
+      uint8_t byte = data[consumed];
+      raw |= (byte & 0x7F) << shift;
+      if ((byte & 0x80) == 0) {
+        consumed++;
+        break;
+      }
+      shift += 7;
+    }
+    if (consumed == 0)
+      break;  // Parse error
+
+    // Zigzag decode: (n >> 1) ^ -(n & 1)
+    int32_t decoded = static_cast<int32_t>((raw >> 1) ^ (~(raw & 1) + 1));
+    this->data_.push_back(decoded);
+    data += consumed;
+    len -= consumed;
+  }
+}
+
+/* RemoteTransmitterBase */
+
 void RemoteTransmitterBase::send_(uint32_t send_times, uint32_t send_wait) {
 #ifdef ESPHOME_LOG_HAS_VERY_VERBOSE
   const auto &vec = this->temp_.get_data();
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.h
index 2cb79bf571..a11e0271af 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/remote_base.h
@@ -31,6 +31,11 @@ class RemoteTransmitData {
   uint32_t get_carrier_frequency() const { return this->carrier_frequency_; }
   const RawTimings &get_data() const { return this->data_; }
   void set_data(const RawTimings &data) { this->data_ = data; }
+  /// Set data from packed protobuf sint32 buffer (zigzag + varint encoded)
+  /// @param data Pointer to packed zigzag-varint-encoded sint32 values
+  /// @param len Length of the buffer in bytes
+  /// @param count Number of values (for reserve optimization)
+  void set_data_from_packed_sint32(const uint8_t *data, size_t len, size_t count);
   void reset() {
     this->data_.clear();
     this->carrier_frequency_ = 0;
diff --git a/esphome/components/web_server/web_server.cpp b/esphome/components/web_server/web_server.cpp
index a11d702f94..ba9e71bd1c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/web_server/web_server.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/web_server/web_server.cpp
@@ -502,14 +502,16 @@ static void set_json_id(JsonObject &root, EntityBase *obj, const char *prefix, J
 
   // Build id into stack buffer - ArduinoJson copies the string
   // Format: {prefix}/{device?}/{name}
-  // Buffer size guaranteed by schema validation (NAME_MAX_LENGTH=120):
-  //   With devices: domain(20) + "/" + device(120) + "/" + name(120) + null = 263, rounded up to 280 for safety margin
-  //   Without devices: domain(20) + "/" + name(120) + null = 142, rounded up to 150 for safety margin
+  // Buffer sizes use constants from entity_base.h validated in core/config.py
+  // Note: Device name uses ESPHOME_FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN (sub-device max 120), not ESPHOME_DEVICE_NAME_MAX_LEN
+  // (hostname)
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
-  char id_buf[280];
+  static constexpr size_t ID_BUF_SIZE =
+      ESPHOME_DOMAIN_MAX_LEN + 1 + ESPHOME_FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN + 1 + ESPHOME_FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN + 1;
 #else
-  char id_buf[150];
+  static constexpr size_t ID_BUF_SIZE = ESPHOME_DOMAIN_MAX_LEN + 1 + ESPHOME_FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN + 1;
 #endif
+  char id_buf[ID_BUF_SIZE];
   char *p = id_buf;
   memcpy(p, prefix, prefix_len);
   p += prefix_len;
diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py b/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
index 7ba1b5e417..26aec29b6d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
@@ -238,12 +238,21 @@ def _apply_min_auth_mode_default(config):
 def final_validate(config):
     has_sta = bool(config.get(CONF_NETWORKS, True))
     has_ap = CONF_AP in config
-    has_improv = "esp32_improv" in fv.full_config.get()
-    has_improv_serial = "improv_serial" in fv.full_config.get()
+    full_config = fv.full_config.get()
+    has_improv = "esp32_improv" in full_config
+    has_improv_serial = "improv_serial" in full_config
+    has_captive_portal = "captive_portal" in full_config
+    has_web_server = "web_server" in full_config
     if not (has_sta or has_ap or has_improv or has_improv_serial):
         raise cv.Invalid(
             "Please specify at least an SSID or an Access Point to create."
         )
+    if has_ap and not has_captive_portal and not has_web_server:
+        _LOGGER.warning(
+            "WiFi AP is configured but neither captive_portal nor web_server is enabled. "
+            "The AP will not be usable for configuration or monitoring. "
+            "Add 'captive_portal:' or 'web_server:' to your configuration."
+        )
 
 
 FINAL_VALIDATE_SCHEMA = cv.All(
@@ -466,7 +475,7 @@ async def to_code(config):
         )
         cg.add(var.set_ap_timeout(conf[CONF_AP_TIMEOUT]))
         cg.add_define("USE_WIFI_AP")
-    elif CORE.is_esp32:
+    elif CORE.is_esp32 and not CORE.using_arduino:
         add_idf_sdkconfig_option("CONFIG_ESP_WIFI_SOFTAP_SUPPORT", False)
         add_idf_sdkconfig_option("CONFIG_LWIP_DHCPS", False)
 
diff --git a/esphome/core/config.py b/esphome/core/config.py
index b7e6ab9bee..21ed8ced1a 100644
--- a/esphome/core/config.py
+++ b/esphome/core/config.py
@@ -184,17 +184,24 @@ if "ESPHOME_DEFAULT_COMPILE_PROCESS_LIMIT" in os.environ:
 else:
     _compile_process_limit_default = cv.UNDEFINED
 
+# Keep in sync with ESPHOME_FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN in esphome/core/entity_base.h
+FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN = 120
+
 AREA_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
     {
         cv.GenerateID(CONF_ID): cv.declare_id(Area),
-        cv.Required(CONF_NAME): cv.All(cv.string_no_slash, cv.Length(max=120)),
+        cv.Required(CONF_NAME): cv.All(
+            cv.string_no_slash, cv.Length(max=FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN)
+        ),
     }
 )
 
 DEVICE_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
     {
         cv.GenerateID(CONF_ID): cv.declare_id(Device),
-        cv.Required(CONF_NAME): cv.All(cv.string_no_slash, cv.Length(max=120)),
+        cv.Required(CONF_NAME): cv.All(
+            cv.string_no_slash, cv.Length(max=FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN)
+        ),
         cv.Optional(CONF_AREA_ID): cv.use_id(Area),
     }
 )
@@ -210,7 +217,7 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
             cv.Required(CONF_NAME): cv.valid_name,
             # Keep max=120 in sync with OBJECT_ID_MAX_LEN in esphome/core/entity_base.h
             cv.Optional(CONF_FRIENDLY_NAME, ""): cv.All(
-                cv.string_no_slash, cv.Length(max=120)
+                cv.string_no_slash, cv.Length(max=FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN)
             ),
             cv.Optional(CONF_AREA): validate_area_config,
             cv.Optional(CONF_COMMENT): cv.All(cv.string, cv.Length(max=255)),
diff --git a/esphome/core/entity_base.h b/esphome/core/entity_base.h
index 1649077dd0..5f75872a0f 100644
--- a/esphome/core/entity_base.h
+++ b/esphome/core/entity_base.h
@@ -16,7 +16,14 @@ namespace esphome {
 // Maximum device name length - keep in sync with validate_hostname() in esphome/core/config.py
 static constexpr size_t ESPHOME_DEVICE_NAME_MAX_LEN = 31;
 
-// Maximum size for object_id buffer - keep in sync with friendly_name cv.Length(max=120) in esphome/core/config.py
+// Maximum friendly name length for entities and sub-devices - keep in sync with FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN in
+// esphome/core/config.py
+static constexpr size_t ESPHOME_FRIENDLY_NAME_MAX_LEN = 120;
+
+// Maximum domain length (longest: "alarm_control_panel" = 19)
+static constexpr size_t ESPHOME_DOMAIN_MAX_LEN = 20;
+
+// Maximum size for object_id buffer (friendly_name + null + margin)
 static constexpr size_t OBJECT_ID_MAX_LEN = 128;
 
 enum EntityCategory : uint8_t {
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 56df559cd7..00f81f793f 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ pyserial==3.5
 platformio==6.1.18  # When updating platformio, also update /docker/Dockerfile
 esptool==5.1.0
 click==8.1.7
-esphome-dashboard==20251013.0
+esphome-dashboard==20260110.0
 aioesphomeapi==43.10.1
 zeroconf==0.148.0
 puremagic==1.30
diff --git a/tests/components/ac_dimmer/test.esp32-ard.yaml b/tests/components/ac_dimmer/test.esp32-ard.yaml
deleted file mode 100644
index eaa4901f03..0000000000
--- a/tests/components/ac_dimmer/test.esp32-ard.yaml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-substitutions:
-  gate_pin: GPIO4
-  zero_cross_pin: GPIO5
-
-<<: !include common.yaml
diff --git a/tests/components/ac_dimmer/test.esp32-idf.yaml b/tests/components/ac_dimmer/test.esp32-idf.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3ec069f430
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/ac_dimmer/test.esp32-idf.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+substitutions:
+  gate_pin: GPIO18
+  zero_cross_pin: GPIO19
+
+<<: !include common.yaml
diff --git a/tests/components/hub75/test.esp32-s3-idf-board.yaml b/tests/components/hub75/test.esp32-s3-idf-board.yaml
index 3723a80006..8c73a0fd44 100644
--- a/tests/components/hub75/test.esp32-s3-idf-board.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/hub75/test.esp32-s3-idf-board.yaml
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ display:
     panel_height: 32
     double_buffer: true
     brightness: 128
+    gamma_correct: gamma_2_2
     pages:
       - id: page1
         lambda: |-
diff --git a/tests/components/hub75/test.esp32-s3-idf.yaml b/tests/components/hub75/test.esp32-s3-idf.yaml
index f8ee26e73d..0adb4f991b 100644
--- a/tests/components/hub75/test.esp32-s3-idf.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/hub75/test.esp32-s3-idf.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ display:
     panel_height: 32
     double_buffer: true
     brightness: 128
+    gamma_correct: cie1931
     r1_pin: GPIO42
     g1_pin: GPIO41
     b1_pin: GPIO40
diff --git a/tests/components/mapping/test.rp2040-ard.yaml b/tests/components/mapping/test.rp2040-ard.yaml
index acc305a701..fdfed5f6ab 100644
--- a/tests/components/mapping/test.rp2040-ard.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/mapping/test.rp2040-ard.yaml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ display:
   platform: ili9xxx
   id: main_lcd
   model: ili9342
+  data_rate: 31.25MHz
   cs_pin: 20
   dc_pin: 21
   reset_pin: 22
diff --git a/tests/components/mdns/test-comprehensive.esp8266-ard.yaml b/tests/components/mdns/test-comprehensive.esp8266-ard.yaml
index 3129ca3143..7d3f61cf08 100644
--- a/tests/components/mdns/test-comprehensive.esp8266-ard.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/mdns/test-comprehensive.esp8266-ard.yaml
@@ -42,4 +42,3 @@ status_led:
 
 # Include API at priority 40
 api:
-  password: "apipassword"
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/api_conditional_memory.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/api_conditional_memory.yaml
index 22e8ed79d6..4a0923b93f 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/api_conditional_memory.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/api_conditional_memory.yaml
@@ -24,6 +24,14 @@ api:
     - logger.log:
         format: "Client %s disconnected from %s"
         args: [client_info.c_str(), client_address.c_str()]
+    # Verify fix for issue #11131: api.connected should reflect true state in trigger
+    - if:
+        condition:
+          api.connected:
+        then:
+          - logger.log: "Other clients still connected"
+        else:
+          - logger.log: "No clients remaining"
 
 logger:
   level: DEBUG
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_api_conditional_memory.py b/tests/integration/test_api_conditional_memory.py
index 349b572859..91625770d9 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_api_conditional_memory.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_api_conditional_memory.py
@@ -23,12 +23,14 @@ async def test_api_conditional_memory(
     # Track log messages
     connected_future = loop.create_future()
     disconnected_future = loop.create_future()
+    no_clients_future = loop.create_future()
     service_simple_future = loop.create_future()
     service_args_future = loop.create_future()
 
     # Patterns to match in logs
     connected_pattern = re.compile(r"Client .* connected from")
     disconnected_pattern = re.compile(r"Client .* disconnected from")
+    no_clients_pattern = re.compile(r"No clients remaining")
     service_simple_pattern = re.compile(r"Simple service called")
     service_args_pattern = re.compile(
         r"Service called with: test_string, 123, 1, 42\.50"
@@ -40,6 +42,8 @@ async def test_api_conditional_memory(
             connected_future.set_result(True)
         elif not disconnected_future.done() and disconnected_pattern.search(line):
             disconnected_future.set_result(True)
+        elif not no_clients_future.done() and no_clients_pattern.search(line):
+            no_clients_future.set_result(True)
         elif not service_simple_future.done() and service_simple_pattern.search(line):
             service_simple_future.set_result(True)
         elif not service_args_future.done() and service_args_pattern.search(line):
@@ -109,3 +113,7 @@ async def test_api_conditional_memory(
 
         # Client disconnected here, wait for disconnect log
         await asyncio.wait_for(disconnected_future, timeout=5.0)
+
+        # Verify fix for issue #11131: api.connected should be false in trigger
+        # when the last client disconnects
+        await asyncio.wait_for(no_clients_future, timeout=5.0)