diff --git a/.changeset/19049-nav-item-label-optional-inherited.md b/.changeset/19049-nav-item-label-optional-inherited.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8ce88e53919
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/19049-nav-item-label-optional-inherited.md
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+---
+'@objectstack/spec': minor
+---
+
+spec(ui): a navigation entry may omit `label` — it then inherits its target's CURRENT label at render time (#19049)
+
+Clause-②: yes (widening)
+
+`BaseNavItemSchema.label` is `.optional()`. An `app.navigation` entry written without a `label` now parses, and the semantic it parses into is declared on the key itself: **absent means the entry inherits, at render time, the current label of whatever it opens** — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label. A label the author *did* write renders verbatim and is never overwritten.
+
+This executes the maintainer's cloud#2021 ruling (「2021 可以接受有些修改刷新才生效」) as letter **A** on objectui#9868: sync by render-time inheritance, no stored state. The spec moves first because the console reads its navigation contract from here — until now an unnamed entry was not *representable*, so the promise "an unnamed entry shows its target's name" had nowhere to be declared.
+
+- **Accept-set widening only, on eight branches at once.** `BaseNavItemSchema` is spread (`...BaseNavItemSchema.shape`) into the `object`, `dashboard`, `page`, `url`, `report`, `action`, `component` and `group` nav-item declarations, so the one-line relaxation reaches all eight. The ninth branch, `separator`, spreads nothing and has never carried a `label`. Nothing that parsed before stops parsing: a present `label` is accepted exactly as before, and every other key on the item is untouched.
+- **Nothing is stored for the absent case.** There is no new member and no `inherited` flag — the parse adds no key the author did not write. That is the whole point of resolving at render: a target renamed after the entry was authored shows its new name on the next render, where a label materialised at authoring time would be a stale snapshot. Consumers must resolve an absent `label` at render, not at ingest.
+- **The rule this relaxes still holds.** *Every real destination must have identity and text* — identity is the target, text is inherited at render. That sentence is recorded in the key's `describe`, so it ships to the reference page and to any tool reading the JSON Schema.
+- **The three sibling `label` declarations in this file are unchanged and still required**: `NavigationArea.label`, `AppContextSelector.label` and `App.label`. Each names a container the author is creating rather than a target it could inherit from, so there is nothing for an absent label to resolve against. The ruling covers navigation entries only.
+
+Downstream, in order: objectui#9868 relaxes its own `packages/types` validator to match, resolves the absent label in the nav renderer, and stops writing `label || pageName` for an unnamed entry; then cloud#2021 stops materialising an inherited label in `apply_blueprint`.
diff --git a/content/docs/references/api/metadata.mdx b/content/docs/references/api/metadata.mdx
index b083c1c39c7..0d105645747 100644
--- a/content/docs/references/api/metadata.mdx
+++ b/content/docs/references/api/metadata.mdx
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ const result = AppDefinitionResponseSchema.parse(data);
 | **isDefault** | `boolean` | optional (default: `false`) | Is default app |
 | **hidden** | `boolean` | optional | Hide from the App Switcher; the shell surfaces hidden apps via the avatar menu instead (navigation only — never an access gate) |
 | **_unpublished** | `boolean` | optional | Machine-managed publish gate (ADR-0045 §3) — true = unpublished, externally unobservable. Written by AI materialization, cleared by publish-drafts. Never authored. |
-| **navigation** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Full navigation tree for the app sidebar |
+| **navigation** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Full navigation tree for the app sidebar |
 | **areas** | `{ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; description?: string \| Record<string, string>; … }[]` | optional | Navigation areas for partitioning navigation by business domain |
 | **contextSelectors** | `{ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; optionsSource: object; … }[]` | optional | App-level scope dropdowns whose value is injected into nav items as `{<id>}` template vars |
 | **homePageId** | `never` | optional | [REMOVED] `app.homePageId` was removed in @objectstack/spec 17.0.0 (ADR-0049). objectui's console did read it before v17 (`resolveLandingRoute`), so this key had a consumer — it was retired because the capability is better expressed on the navigation item itself than as an ID cross-reference that silently falls back when it dangles. An app's landing page IS its first navigation item (by `order`), and the root landing follows `isDefault` routing. Delete the key; to change where an app opens, reorder `navigation` so the intended entry is first, and set `isDefault` on the app that should own the root landing. Run `os migrate meta --from 16` to list the mechanical edits for existing sources; apply them by hand. |
diff --git a/content/docs/references/api/package-api.mdx b/content/docs/references/api/package-api.mdx
index eef23c9ff69..c79c4cc219a 100644
--- a/content/docs/references/api/package-api.mdx
+++ b/content/docs/references/api/package-api.mdx
@@ -624,7 +624,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | **app** | `string` | ✅ | Target app name to contribute navigation into (e.g. "setup") |
 | **group** | `string` | optional | Target group nav-item id to append into (e.g. "group_integrations"); omit to append at the app top level. Naming a group the target app does not declare is not refused: the items are appended at the app top level anyway and a `nav_contribution_group_missing` diagnostic is emitted — by the runtime at `warn`, and by `os build` and `os validate` at compile time. |
 | **priority** | `integer` | optional (default: `200`) | Merge priority within the target group — lower applied first (matches object extender priority) |
-| **items** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items contributed into the target app/group |
+| **items** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items contributed into the target app/group |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `PackageInstallBody[option 2].engine`
 
diff --git a/content/docs/references/kernel/manifest.mdx b/content/docs/references/kernel/manifest.mdx
index 5884e3215e7..d0a10138d15 100644
--- a/content/docs/references/kernel/manifest.mdx
+++ b/content/docs/references/kernel/manifest.mdx
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | **app** | `string` | ✅ | Target app name to contribute navigation into (e.g. "setup") |
 | **group** | `string` | optional | Target group nav-item id to append into (e.g. "group_integrations"); omit to append at the app top level. Naming a group the target app does not declare is not refused: the items are appended at the app top level anyway and a `nav_contribution_group_missing` diagnostic is emitted — by the runtime at `warn`, and by `os build` and `os validate` at compile time. |
 | **priority** | `integer` | optional (default: `200`) | Merge priority within the target group — lower applied first (matches object extender priority) |
-| **items** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items contributed into the target app/group |
+| **items** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items contributed into the target app/group |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `Manifest.engine`
 
diff --git a/content/docs/references/ui/app.mdx b/content/docs/references/ui/app.mdx
index 7ed82333c35..c0fce9e72cd 100644
--- a/content/docs/references/ui/app.mdx
+++ b/content/docs/references/ui/app.mdx
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | **isDefault** | `boolean` | optional (default: `false`) | Is default app |
 | **hidden** | `boolean` | optional | Hide from the App Switcher; the shell surfaces hidden apps via the avatar menu instead (navigation only — never an access gate) |
 | **_unpublished** | `boolean` | optional | Machine-managed publish gate (ADR-0045 §3) — true = unpublished, externally unobservable. Written by AI materialization, cleared by publish-drafts. Never authored. |
-| **navigation** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Full navigation tree for the app sidebar |
+| **navigation** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Full navigation tree for the app sidebar |
 | **areas** | `{ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; description?: string \| Record<string, string>; … }[]` | optional | Navigation areas for partitioning navigation by business domain |
 | **contextSelectors** | `{ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; optionsSource: object; … }[]` | optional | App-level scope dropdowns whose value is injected into nav items as `{<id>}` template vars |
 | **homePageId** | `never` | optional | [REMOVED] `app.homePageId` was removed in @objectstack/spec 17.0.0 (ADR-0049). objectui's console did read it before v17 (`resolveLandingRoute`), so this key had a consumer — it was retired because the capability is better expressed on the navigation item itself than as an ID cross-reference that silently falls back when it dangles. An app's landing page IS its first navigation item (by `order`), and the root landing follows `isDefault` routing. Delete the key; to change where an app opens, reorder `navigation` so the intended entry is first, and set `isDefault` on the app that should own the root landing. Run `os migrate meta --from 16` to list the mechanical edits for existing sources; apply them by hand. |
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -117,14 +117,14 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | **recordMode** | `Enum<'view' \| 'edit'>` | optional | Open the record in view (default) or edit mode. Only meaningful when `recordId` is set. |
 | **filters** | `Record<string, string>` | optional | URL filter conditions — targets the /:objectName/data bare surface via filter[`<field>`]=`<value>` params instead of a saved view. Values support template vars `{current_user_id}`, `{current_org_id}`. Mutually exclusive with recordId/viewName. |
 | **runAction** | `string` | optional | Auto-run this declared action once on arrival at the object's list surface (deep-link "navigate = run action"). Must name an action defined in the stack; validated by defineStack and lint. Not combinable with recordId. |
-| **children** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Child navigation items (e.g. specific views) |
+| **children** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Child navigation items (e.g. specific views) |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `App.navigation[number][type='dashboard']`
 
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | **requiresService** | `string` | optional | Hide/disable this entry unless the named kernel service is registered |
 | **type** | `'group'` | ✅ |  |
 | **expanded** | `boolean` | optional (default: `false`) | Default expansion state in sidebar |
-| **children** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Child navigation items |
+| **children** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Child navigation items |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `App.areas[number]`
 
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Area display label |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Area icon name |
 | **description** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Area description |
-| **navigation** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items within this area |
+| **navigation** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items within this area |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `App.contextSelectors[number]`
 
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -398,14 +398,14 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Area display label |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Area icon name |
 | **description** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Area description |
-| **navigation** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items within this area |
+| **navigation** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items within this area |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `NavigationArea.navigation[number][type='object']`
 
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -421,14 +421,14 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | **recordMode** | `Enum<'view' \| 'edit'>` | optional | Open the record in view (default) or edit mode. Only meaningful when `recordId` is set. |
 | **filters** | `Record<string, string>` | optional | URL filter conditions — targets the /:objectName/data bare surface via filter[`<field>`]=`<value>` params instead of a saved view. Values support template vars `{current_user_id}`, `{current_org_id}`. Mutually exclusive with recordId/viewName. |
 | **runAction** | `string` | optional | Auto-run this declared action once on arrival at the object's list surface (deep-link "navigate = run action"). Must name an action defined in the stack; validated by defineStack and lint. Not combinable with recordId. |
-| **children** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Child navigation items (e.g. specific views) |
+| **children** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Child navigation items (e.g. specific views) |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `NavigationArea.navigation[number][type='dashboard']`
 
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ const result = ActionNavItemSchema.parse(data);
 | **requiresService** | `string` | optional | Hide/disable this entry unless the named kernel service is registered |
 | **type** | `'group'` | ✅ |  |
 | **expanded** | `boolean` | optional (default: `false`) | Default expansion state in sidebar |
-| **children** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Child navigation items |
+| **children** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Child navigation items |
 
 
 ---
@@ -568,14 +568,14 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | **app** | `string` | ✅ | Target app name to contribute navigation into (e.g. "setup") |
 | **group** | `string` | optional | Target group nav-item id to append into (e.g. "group_integrations"); omit to append at the app top level. Naming a group the target app does not declare is not refused: the items are appended at the app top level anyway and a `nav_contribution_group_missing` diagnostic is emitted — by the runtime at `warn`, and by `os build` and `os validate` at compile time. |
 | **priority** | `integer` | optional (default: `200`) | Merge priority within the target group — lower applied first (matches object extender priority) |
-| **items** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items contributed into the target app/group |
+| **items** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Navigation items contributed into the target app/group |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `NavigationContribution.items[number][type='object']`
 
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -591,14 +591,14 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | **recordMode** | `Enum<'view' \| 'edit'>` | optional | Open the record in view (default) or edit mode. Only meaningful when `recordId` is set. |
 | **filters** | `Record<string, string>` | optional | URL filter conditions — targets the /:objectName/data bare surface via filter[`<field>`]=`<value>` params instead of a saved view. Values support template vars `{current_user_id}`, `{current_org_id}`. Mutually exclusive with recordId/viewName. |
 | **runAction** | `string` | optional | Auto-run this declared action once on arrival at the object's list surface (deep-link "navigate = run action"). Must name an action defined in the stack; validated by defineStack and lint. Not combinable with recordId. |
-| **children** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Child navigation items (e.g. specific views) |
+| **children** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | optional | Child navigation items (e.g. specific views) |
 
 ### Nested Shape: `NavigationContribution.items[number][type='dashboard']`
 
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -651,7 +651,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -668,7 +668,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -722,7 +722,7 @@ A navigation contribution: a package injecting nav items into an app it does not
 | **requiresService** | `string` | optional | Hide/disable this entry unless the named kernel service is registered |
 | **type** | `'group'` | ✅ |  |
 | **expanded** | `boolean` | optional (default: `false`) | Default expansion state in sidebar |
-| **children** | `({ id: string; label: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Child navigation items |
+| **children** | `({ id: string; label?: string \| Record<string, string>; icon?: string; order?: number; … } \| { type: 'separator'; id?: string; order?: number } \| … +7 more)[]` | ✅ | Child navigation items |
 
 
 ---
@@ -742,7 +742,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -771,7 +771,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -794,7 +794,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -818,7 +818,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -842,7 +842,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -865,7 +865,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -895,7 +895,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -933,7 +933,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -958,7 +958,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -985,7 +985,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -1008,7 +1008,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
@@ -1030,7 +1030,7 @@ This schema accepts one of the following structures:
 | Property | Type | Required | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **id** | `string` | ✅ | Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case) |
-| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | ✅ | Display proper label |
+| **label** | `string \| Record<string, string>` | optional | Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is materialised for the absent case. |
 | **icon** | `string` | optional | Icon name |
 | **order** | `number` | optional | Sort order within the same level (lower = first) |
 | **badge** | `string \| number` | optional | Badge text or count displayed on the item |
diff --git a/packages/spec/api-surface-declarations/ui.txt b/packages/spec/api-surface-declarations/ui.txt
index 1b6f1460f7d..5b9bd1de254 100644
--- a/packages/spec/api-surface-declarations/ui.txt
+++ b/packages/spec/api-surface-declarations/ui.txt
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ declare const ActionNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
         params: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodRecord<z.ZodString, z.ZodUnknown>>;
     }, z.core.$strict>;
     id: z.ZodString;
-    label: z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
+    label: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
     }, Record<string, string> & {
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ declare const ActionNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     }, Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
-    }>>]>;
+    }>>]>>;
     icon: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     order: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodNumber>;
     badge: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodNumber]>>;
@@ -2761,7 +2761,7 @@ declare const ComponentNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     componentRef: z.ZodString;
     params: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodRecord<z.ZodString, z.ZodUnknown>>;
     id: z.ZodString;
-    label: z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
+    label: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
     }, Record<string, string> & {
@@ -2773,7 +2773,7 @@ declare const ComponentNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     }, Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
-    }>>]>;
+    }>>]>>;
     icon: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     order: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodNumber>;
     badge: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodNumber]>>;
@@ -5358,7 +5358,7 @@ declare const DashboardNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     type: z.ZodLiteral<"dashboard">;
     dashboardName: z.ZodString;
     id: z.ZodString;
-    label: z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
+    label: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
     }, Record<string, string> & {
@@ -5370,7 +5370,7 @@ declare const DashboardNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     }, Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
-    }>>]>;
+    }>>]>>;
     icon: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     order: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodNumber>;
     badge: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodNumber]>>;
@@ -8764,7 +8764,7 @@ declare const GroupNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     type: z.ZodLiteral<"group">;
     expanded: z.ZodDefault<z.ZodBoolean>;
     id: z.ZodString;
-    label: z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
+    label: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
     }, Record<string, string> & {
@@ -8776,7 +8776,7 @@ declare const GroupNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     }, Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
-    }>>]>;
+    }>>]>>;
     icon: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     order: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodNumber>;
     badge: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodNumber]>>;
@@ -12225,7 +12225,7 @@ declare const ObjectNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     filters: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodRecord<z.ZodString, z.ZodString>>;
     runAction: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     id: z.ZodString;
-    label: z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
+    label: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
     }, Record<string, string> & {
@@ -12237,7 +12237,7 @@ declare const ObjectNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     }, Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
-    }>>]>;
+    }>>]>>;
     icon: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     order: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodNumber>;
     badge: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodNumber]>>;
@@ -12924,7 +12924,7 @@ declare const PageNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     pageName: z.ZodString;
     params: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodRecord<z.ZodString, z.ZodUnknown>>;
     id: z.ZodString;
-    label: z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
+    label: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
     }, Record<string, string> & {
@@ -12936,7 +12936,7 @@ declare const PageNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     }, Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
-    }>>]>;
+    }>>]>>;
     icon: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     order: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodNumber>;
     badge: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodNumber]>>;
@@ -19230,7 +19230,7 @@ declare const ReportNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     type: z.ZodLiteral<"report">;
     reportName: z.ZodString;
     id: z.ZodString;
-    label: z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
+    label: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
     }, Record<string, string> & {
@@ -19242,7 +19242,7 @@ declare const ReportNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     }, Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
-    }>>]>;
+    }>>]>>;
     icon: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     order: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodNumber>;
     badge: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodNumber]>>;
@@ -19683,7 +19683,7 @@ declare const UrlNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
         _blank: "_blank";
     }>>;
     id: z.ZodString;
-    label: z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
+    label: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodType<Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
     }, Record<string, string> & {
@@ -19695,7 +19695,7 @@ declare const UrlNavItemSchema: z.ZodObject<{
     }, Record<string, string> & {
         key?: never;
         defaultValue?: never;
-    }>>]>;
+    }>>]>>;
     icon: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodString>;
     order: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodNumber>;
     badge: z.ZodOptional<z.ZodUnion<readonly [z.ZodString, z.ZodNumber]>>;
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/app-nav-label-optional-inherited.pin.test.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/app-nav-label-optional-inherited.pin.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..29e10cc0648
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/app-nav-label-optional-inherited.pin.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 ObjectStack. Licensed under the Apache-2.0 license.
+
+/**
+ * A navigation entry's `label` is OPTIONAL, and its absence is INHERITANCE —
+ * not a hole and not a stored value.
+ *
+ * ## The two directions, and why each needs its own pin
+ *
+ * The maintainer's ruling (cloud#2021, executed as objectui#9868 letter A)
+ * bought exactly one thing: an `app.navigation` entry may omit `label`, and the
+ * shell then renders the CURRENT label of whatever the entry opens — the view's
+ * label when it names a labelled view, else the object's / dashboard's label.
+ * Nothing is stored for that case: no `inherited` flag, no materialised copy.
+ * That is what makes a renamed target show its new name on the next render
+ * instead of a snapshot taken when the entry was authored.
+ *
+ * Both halves fail silently if only one is pinned:
+ *
+ * - **ABSENT parses.** A `label` that drifts back to required does not look
+ *   like a spec regression downstream; it looks like objectui's nav writer
+ *   producing invalid metadata, one repo over, after the relaxation it was
+ *   sequenced behind has already shipped.
+ * - **PRESENT is verbatim.** The inheritance is a RENDER-TIME resolution, so
+ *   the tempting implementation — fill the label in during parse — would keep
+ *   direction one green while destroying the ruling: an entry whose target is
+ *   later renamed would then be frozen at whatever the parse wrote, and an
+ *   author's own wording would be overwritten by their target's. This half
+ *   asserts the parse ADDS nothing: no key appears that the author did not
+ *   write, and a label the author did write comes back byte-for-byte.
+ *
+ * ## Why the three sibling `label` sites are pinned here too
+ *
+ * `app.zod.ts` carries four `label: I18nLabelSchema` declarations. The ruling
+ * covers ONE of them — the nav-item base, which is spread into eight branch
+ * declarations, so relaxing it there moves all eight at once. The Area, the
+ * context-selector Dropdown and the App label are a different surface and were
+ * never ruled on: each names a container the author is creating, not a target
+ * it could inherit from, so there is nothing for an absent label to resolve
+ * against. They are asserted here because "make the nav label optional" is an
+ * edit one character away from "make every label in this file optional", and
+ * that over-reach would leave every other gate in the repo green.
+ */
+
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import {
+  NavigationItemSchema,
+  ObjectNavItemSchema,
+  DashboardNavItemSchema,
+  PageNavItemSchema,
+  UrlNavItemSchema,
+  ReportNavItemSchema,
+  ActionNavItemSchema,
+  ComponentNavItemSchema,
+  GroupNavItemSchema,
+  NavigationAreaSchema,
+  AppContextSelectorSchema,
+  AppSchema,
+} from './app.zod';
+
+/**
+ * The eight branch declarations that spread `...BaseNavItemSchema.shape`, with
+ * the rest of the payload each one needs to be otherwise-valid. The ninth nav
+ * branch, `separator`, spreads nothing and has never had a `label` — it is
+ * absent from this table on purpose, and its own guidance table already
+ * prescribes `group` for a titled divider.
+ */
+const SPREAD_BRANCHES = [
+  ['object', ObjectNavItemSchema, { id: 'nav_a', type: 'object', objectName: 'sys_user' }],
+  ['dashboard', DashboardNavItemSchema, { id: 'nav_b', type: 'dashboard', dashboardName: 'sales' }],
+  ['page', PageNavItemSchema, { id: 'nav_c', type: 'page', pageName: 'welcome' }],
+  ['url', UrlNavItemSchema, { id: 'nav_d', type: 'url', url: 'https://example.com' }],
+  ['report', ReportNavItemSchema, { id: 'nav_e', type: 'report', reportName: 'quarterly' }],
+  ['action', ActionNavItemSchema, { id: 'nav_f', type: 'action', actionDef: { actionName: 'do_it' } }],
+  ['component', ComponentNavItemSchema, { id: 'nav_g', type: 'component', componentRef: 'metadata:resource' }],
+  ['group', GroupNavItemSchema, { id: 'nav_h', type: 'group' }],
+] as const;
+
+describe('nav item label — ABSENT parses and inherits at render time', () => {
+  it('accepts an object nav item with no label through the union', () => {
+    const result = NavigationItemSchema.safeParse({
+      id: 'nav_users',
+      type: 'object',
+      objectName: 'sys_user',
+    });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.data).toEqual({ id: 'nav_users', type: 'object', objectName: 'sys_user' });
+  });
+
+  it.each(SPREAD_BRANCHES)('accepts a %s nav item with no label (branch schema)', (_kind, schema, payload) => {
+    const result = schema.safeParse(payload);
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+    // The relaxation propagates through the spread — it is not a union-level
+    // tolerance that the branch itself would still refuse.
+    expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('accepts a label-less entry nested under a group', () => {
+    const result = NavigationItemSchema.safeParse({
+      id: 'nav_sales',
+      label: 'Sales',
+      type: 'group',
+      children: [{ id: 'nav_accounts', type: 'object', objectName: 'account' }],
+    });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('is a WIDENING only — an unknown key is still refused on a label-less entry', () => {
+    const result = NavigationItemSchema.safeParse({
+      id: 'nav_users',
+      type: 'object',
+      objectName: 'sys_user',
+      labl: 'Users',
+    });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.error?.issues.some((issue) => issue.code === 'unrecognized_keys')).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('nav item label — PRESENT is verbatim, and ABSENT materialises nothing', () => {
+  it('keeps a string label byte-for-byte', () => {
+    const result = NavigationItemSchema.safeParse({
+      id: 'nav_users',
+      label: 'Team directory',
+      type: 'object',
+      objectName: 'sys_user',
+    });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+    expect((result.data as { label?: unknown }).label).toBe('Team directory');
+  });
+
+  it('keeps an inline locale map byte-for-byte', () => {
+    const label = { en: 'Users', 'zh-CN': '用户' };
+    const result = NavigationItemSchema.safeParse({
+      id: 'nav_users',
+      label,
+      type: 'object',
+      objectName: 'sys_user',
+    });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+    expect((result.data as { label?: unknown }).label).toEqual(label);
+  });
+
+  it('writes no label — and no inherited-marker key — when the author wrote none', () => {
+    const result = NavigationItemSchema.safeParse({
+      id: 'nav_users',
+      type: 'object',
+      objectName: 'sys_user',
+    });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(true);
+    // Resolution is the renderer's job at render time. A parse that filled this
+    // in would freeze the entry at the target's name as of authoring.
+    expect(Object.keys(result.data as object)).not.toContain('label');
+    expect(Object.keys(result.data as object)).toEqual(['id', 'type', 'objectName']);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('the three sibling label sites this ruling does NOT cover stay required', () => {
+  it('NavigationArea.label is still required', () => {
+    const result = NavigationAreaSchema.safeParse({ id: 'area_sales', navigation: [] });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.error?.issues.some((issue) => issue.path.join('.') === 'label')).toBe(true);
+    // Control: the same payload WITH a label parses, so the leg above is a
+    // verdict about `label` and not about the rest of the packet.
+    expect(NavigationAreaSchema.safeParse({ id: 'area_sales', label: 'Sales', navigation: [] }).success).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('AppContextSelector.label is still required', () => {
+    const payload = { id: 'active_package', optionsSource: { endpoint: '/api/v1/packages' } };
+    const result = AppContextSelectorSchema.safeParse(payload);
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.error?.issues.some((issue) => issue.path.join('.') === 'label')).toBe(true);
+    expect(AppContextSelectorSchema.safeParse({ ...payload, label: 'Package' }).success).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('App.label is still required', () => {
+    const result = AppSchema.safeParse({ name: 'crm' });
+
+    expect(result.success).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.error?.issues.some((issue) => issue.path.join('.') === 'label')).toBe(true);
+    expect(AppSchema.safeParse({ name: 'crm', label: 'CRM' }).success).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/ui/app.zod.ts b/packages/spec/src/ui/app.zod.ts
index cce4e40b185..12ca79f0a8d 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/ui/app.zod.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/ui/app.zod.ts
@@ -296,8 +296,27 @@ const BaseNavItemSchema = z.object({
   /** Unique identifier for the item */
   id: SnakeCaseIdentifierSchema.describe('Unique identifier for this navigation item (lowercase snake_case)'),
   
-  /** Display label */
-  label: I18nLabelSchema.describe('Display proper label'),
+  /**
+   * Display label — OPTIONAL since the cloud#2021 / objectui#9868 letter-A
+   * ruling, and optional in the ACCEPT sense only: an entry still shows text.
+   *
+   * Absent ⇒ the entry inherits, **at render time**, the CURRENT label of what
+   * it opens — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled,
+   * else the object's / dashboard's label. Present ⇒ rendered verbatim, never
+   * overwritten. Nothing is stored for the absent case: there is no `inherited`
+   * flag and no materialised copy, which is what makes a renamed target show
+   * its new name on the next render rather than a stale snapshot.
+   *
+   * The rule this relaxes — *every real destination must have identity and
+   * text* — still holds: identity is the target, text is inherited at render.
+   */
+  label: I18nLabelSchema.optional().describe(
+    'Display proper label. Optional: absent ⇒ the entry inherits the CURRENT label of what it opens at render '
+    + "time — the view's label when it names a view and that view is labelled, else the object's / dashboard's "
+    + 'label; a present label renders verbatim and is never overwritten. Every real destination must have identity '
+    + 'and text: identity is the target, text is inherited at render. No stored inherited flag; nothing is '
+    + 'materialised for the absent case.',
+  ),
   
   /** Icon name (Lucide) */
   icon: z.string().optional().describe('Icon name'),