diff --git a/api/ai/parse.ts b/api/ai/parse.ts
index 857f47a..d670a96 100644
--- a/api/ai/parse.ts
+++ b/api/ai/parse.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { AiParseResult, InventoryPromptItem, Language, validateAiParseResult } from './validation.js';
+import { normalizePantryCategory } from '../../src/utils/pantryCategory.js';
 
 type ParseCookVoiceInputRequest = {
   input: string;
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@ function buildPrompt(input: string, inventory: InventoryPromptItem[], lang: Lang
       
       Task 1: Intent Classification. Is this gibberish, chit-chat, or missing an item name? If yes, set 'understood' to false and provide a helpful 'message' asking for clarification.
       Task 2: Match their request to the following inventory items: [${inventoryContext}]. Determine the new status ('in-stock', 'low', 'out'). If they specify a quantity (e.g., "2 kilo", "500g", "3 packets"), extract it as 'requestedQuantity'.
-      Task 3: If they mention an item NOT in the inventory, add it to 'unlistedItems' with a guessed status, a guessed 'category' (e.g., Vegetables, Spices, Dairy, Grains, Meat, Snacks, Cleaning), and any 'requestedQuantity'.
+      Task 3: If they mention an item NOT in the inventory, add it to 'unlistedItems' with a guessed status, a guessed 'category' using only canonical keys: spices, pulses, staples, veggies, dairy, or other, and any 'requestedQuantity'.
       
       Return a JSON object matching this schema.`;
 }
@@ -254,7 +255,14 @@ async function generateAiParseResult(input: string, inventory: InventoryPromptIt
   for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= MAX_AI_ATTEMPTS; attempt += 1) {
     try {
       const parsed = await requestGeminiJson(prompt, apiKey, aiModel, AI_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS);
-      return validateAiParseResult(parsed);
+      const validated = validateAiParseResult(parsed);
+      return {
+        ...validated,
+        unlistedItems: validated.unlistedItems.map((item) => ({
+          ...item,
+          category: normalizePantryCategory(item.category),
+        })),
+      };
     } catch (error) {
       lastError = error;
       console.warn('ai_parse_attempt_failed', createAttemptWarning(attempt, input, inventory.length, lang, error));
diff --git a/firestore.rules b/firestore.rules
index caf60b5..0b14469 100644
--- a/firestore.rules
+++ b/firestore.rules
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ service cloud.firestore {
     // Fields:
     //   - ownerId: string (required)
     //   - cookEmail: string (optional)
+    //   - ownerLanguage: string (optional, 'en' | 'hi')
+    //   - cookLanguage: string (optional, 'en' | 'hi')
     //
     // Collection: households/{householdId}/inventory
     // Document ID: auto-generated or custom string
@@ -122,7 +124,9 @@ service cloud.firestore {
              (
                !('cookEmail' in data) ||
                (data.cookEmail is string && (data.cookEmail == '' || isNormalizedEmail(data.cookEmail)))
-             );
+             ) &&
+             (!('ownerLanguage' in data) || data.ownerLanguage in ['en', 'hi']) &&
+             (!('cookLanguage' in data) || data.cookLanguage in ['en', 'hi']);
     }
 
     function isValidInventoryWrite(householdId, data) {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index f3d1dbb..ea173f7 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -10,9 +10,10 @@
     "preview": "vite preview",
     "clean": "rm -rf dist",
     "lint": "tsc --noEmit",
+    "unit:test": "node --import tsx test/unit/run.ts",
     "rules:test": "node test/rules/check-java.mjs && firebase emulators:exec --only firestore --project demo-rasoi-planner \"tsx test/rules/run.ts\"",
     "e2e": "node test/e2e/run.mjs",
-    "verify:local": "npm run lint && npm run build && npm run rules:test && npm run e2e",
+    "verify:local": "npm run lint && npm run unit:test && npm run build && npm run rules:test && npm run e2e",
     "prepare": "husky"
   },
   "dependencies": {
diff --git a/src/App.tsx b/src/App.tsx
index 9a17514..42b6828 100644
--- a/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/App.tsx
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import {
 import OwnerView from './components/OwnerView';
 import CookView from './components/CookView';
 import { auth, db, loginWithGoogle, logout } from './firebase';
-import { InventoryItem, InventoryStatus, MealPlan, PantryLog, Role } from './types';
+import { InventoryItem, InventoryStatus, MealPlan, PantryLog, Role, UiLanguage } from './types';
 import { toUserFacingError } from './utils/error';
 import {
   addInventoryItem,
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import {
 } from './services/inventoryService';
 import { upsertMealField } from './services/mealService';
 import { HouseholdData, resolveOrCreateHousehold } from './services/householdService';
+import { getAppCopy } from './i18n/copy';
 
 interface UiFeedback {
   kind: 'success' | 'error';
@@ -47,6 +48,10 @@ export default function App() {
   const [isInviting, setIsInviting] = useState(false);
   const [uiFeedback, setUiFeedback] = useState<UiFeedback | null>(null);
   const isOwner = role === 'owner';
+  const ownerLanguage: UiLanguage = householdData?.ownerLanguage ?? 'en';
+  const cookLanguage: UiLanguage = householdData?.cookLanguage ?? 'hi';
+  const activeLanguage: UiLanguage = isOwner ? ownerLanguage : cookLanguage;
+  const appCopy = getAppCopy(activeLanguage);
   const shellWidthClass = isOwner ? 'max-w-7xl' : 'max-w-5xl';
   const shellSectionClass = `${shellWidthClass} mx-auto px-4 md:px-6`;
   const shellMainClass = `${shellWidthClass} mx-auto p-4 md:p-6 pb-24`;
@@ -331,6 +336,22 @@ export default function App() {
     }
   };
 
+  const handleUpdateLanguagePreference = async (field: 'ownerLanguage' | 'cookLanguage', value: UiLanguage): Promise<void> => {
+    if (!householdId) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      await updateDoc(doc(db, 'households', householdId), {
+        [field]: value,
+      });
+      setUiFeedback({ kind: 'success', message: 'Language profile updated.' });
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('language_profile_update_failed', { error, householdId, field, value });
+      setUiFeedback({ kind: 'error', message: toUserFacingError(error, 'Failed to update language profile.') });
+    }
+  };
+
   const handleRemoveCook = async (): Promise<void> => {
     if (!householdId) {
       return;
@@ -370,13 +391,14 @@ export default function App() {
             </div>
           </div>
           <h1 className="text-3xl font-bold text-stone-800 mb-2">Rasoi Planner</h1>
-          <p className="text-stone-500 mb-8">Sign in to sync your pantry and meal plans across all devices.</p>
+          <p className="text-stone-500 mb-8">{appCopy.signInPrompt}</p>
           <button
             onClick={loginWithGoogle}
             className="w-full bg-orange-600 text-white py-3 px-4 rounded-xl font-bold hover:bg-orange-700 transition-colors flex items-center justify-center gap-2"
+            data-testid="sign-in-button"
           >
             <LogIn size={20} />
-            Sign in with Google
+            {appCopy.signInWithGoogle}
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
@@ -388,13 +410,13 @@ export default function App() {
       <div className="min-h-screen bg-stone-50 flex flex-col items-center justify-center p-4">
         <div className="bg-white p-8 rounded-2xl shadow-sm border border-red-100 max-w-md w-full text-center">
           <AlertCircle className="mx-auto text-red-500 mb-4" size={40} />
-          <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-stone-800 mb-2">Access Removed</h1>
-          <p className="text-stone-500 mb-6">Your owner removed this cook access. Sign out and ask the owner to invite you again.</p>
+          <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-stone-800 mb-2">{appCopy.accessRemoved}</h1>
+          <p className="text-stone-500 mb-6">{appCopy.accessRemovedDetail}</p>
           <button
             onClick={logout}
             className="w-full bg-stone-800 text-white py-3 px-4 rounded-xl font-bold hover:bg-stone-700 transition-colors"
           >
-            Sign Out
+            {appCopy.signOut}
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
@@ -413,20 +435,20 @@ export default function App() {
               <div className="min-w-0">
                 <h1 className="hidden text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight sm:block">Rasoi Planner</h1>
                 <p className="text-xs font-medium uppercase tracking-[0.24em] text-orange-100/80">
-                  {isOwner ? 'Owner workspace' : 'Cook workspace'}
+                  {isOwner ? appCopy.ownerWorkspace : appCopy.cookWorkspace}
                 </p>
               </div>
             </div>
             <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3 sm:justify-end">
               <div className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-white/15 bg-white/10 px-3 py-1.5 text-sm font-semibold text-white shadow-inner">
                 {isOwner ? <User size={16} /> : <ChefHat size={16} />}
-                <span>{isOwner ? 'Owner' : 'Cook'}</span>
+                <span>{isOwner ? appCopy.ownerRole : appCopy.cookRole}</span>
               </div>
               <button
                 onClick={logout}
                 className="text-sm font-medium text-orange-50 transition-colors hover:text-white"
               >
-                Sign Out
+                {appCopy.signOut}
               </button>
             </div>
           </div>
@@ -452,12 +474,40 @@ export default function App() {
         <div className={`${shellSectionClass} pt-6`}>
           <div className="bg-white p-4 rounded-xl shadow-sm border border-stone-200 flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-start sm:items-center justify-between gap-4">
             <div>
-              <h3 className="font-bold text-stone-800">Household Settings</h3>
+              <h3 className="font-bold text-stone-800">{appCopy.householdSettings}</h3>
               <p className="text-sm text-stone-500">
                 {householdData.cookEmail
                   ? `Cook access granted to: ${householdData.cookEmail}`
-                  : 'Invite your cook to sync the pantry.'}
+                  : appCopy.inviteCookHint}
               </p>
+              <div className="mt-3 grid grid-cols-1 gap-3 md:grid-cols-2">
+                <label className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+                  <span className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.16em] text-stone-500">{appCopy.ownerLanguageLabel}</span>
+                  <select
+                    value={ownerLanguage}
+                    onChange={(event) => void handleUpdateLanguagePreference('ownerLanguage', event.target.value as UiLanguage)}
+                    className="rounded-lg border border-stone-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-stone-700 outline-none focus:border-orange-500 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-100"
+                    data-testid="owner-language-select"
+                  >
+                    <option value="en">English + Hinglish helper</option>
+                    <option value="hi">Hindi + Hinglish helper</option>
+                  </select>
+                  <span className="text-xs text-stone-500">{appCopy.ownerLanguageHint}</span>
+                </label>
+                <label className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+                  <span className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.16em] text-stone-500">{appCopy.cookLanguageLabel}</span>
+                  <select
+                    value={cookLanguage}
+                    onChange={(event) => void handleUpdateLanguagePreference('cookLanguage', event.target.value as UiLanguage)}
+                    className="rounded-lg border border-stone-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-stone-700 outline-none focus:border-orange-500 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-100"
+                    data-testid="cook-language-select"
+                  >
+                    <option value="hi">Hindi + Hinglish helper</option>
+                    <option value="en">English + Hinglish helper</option>
+                  </select>
+                  <span className="text-xs text-stone-500">{appCopy.cookLanguageHint}</span>
+                </label>
+              </div>
             </div>
             <div className="flex items-center gap-2 w-full sm:w-auto">
               {householdData.cookEmail ? (
@@ -465,13 +515,13 @@ export default function App() {
                   onClick={handleRemoveCook}
                   className="px-4 py-2 bg-red-50 text-red-600 rounded-lg text-sm font-bold hover:bg-red-100 transition-colors whitespace-nowrap"
                 >
-                  Remove Cook
+                  {appCopy.removeCook}
                 </button>
               ) : (
                 <div className="flex w-full sm:w-auto gap-2">
                   <input
                     type="email"
-                    placeholder="Cook's Gmail address"
+                    placeholder={appCopy.inviteCookPlaceholder}
                     value={inviteEmail}
                     onChange={(event) => setInviteEmail(event.target.value)}
                     className="px-3 py-2 border border-stone-300 rounded-lg text-sm w-full sm:w-64 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-500 outline-none"
@@ -481,7 +531,7 @@ export default function App() {
                     disabled={isInviting || !inviteEmail}
                     className="px-4 py-2 bg-stone-800 text-white rounded-lg text-sm font-bold hover:bg-stone-700 transition-colors disabled:opacity-50 whitespace-nowrap"
                   >
-                    {isInviting ? 'Inviting...' : 'Invite'}
+                    {isInviting ? appCopy.inviting : appCopy.invite}
                   </button>
                 </div>
               )}
@@ -505,6 +555,7 @@ export default function App() {
             onDeleteInventoryItem={handleDeleteInventoryItem}
             onClearAnomaly={handleClearAnomaly}
             logs={logs}
+            language={ownerLanguage}
           />
         ) : (
           <CookView
@@ -512,6 +563,7 @@ export default function App() {
             inventory={inventory}
             onUpdateInventory={handleUpdateInventory}
             onAddUnlistedItem={handleAddUnlistedItem}
+            language={cookLanguage}
           />
         )}
       </main>
diff --git a/src/components/CookView.tsx b/src/components/CookView.tsx
index 490910a..4dccfaa 100644
--- a/src/components/CookView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/CookView.tsx
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 import React, { useState } from 'react';
-import { Sun, Moon, AlertCircle, CheckCircle2, Search, Mic, Globe, Info, ShoppingCart, MessageSquarePlus, Check } from 'lucide-react';
-import { MealPlan, InventoryItem, InventoryStatus, Language } from '../types';
+import { Sun, Moon, AlertCircle, CheckCircle2, Search, Mic, Info, ShoppingCart, MessageSquarePlus, Check } from 'lucide-react';
+import { MealPlan, InventoryItem, InventoryStatus, UiLanguage } from '../types';
 import { parseCookVoiceInput } from '../services/ai';
 import { getLocalDateKey } from '../utils/date';
+import { getCookCopy } from '../i18n/copy';
 
 interface Props {
   meals: Record<string, MealPlan>;
   inventory: InventoryItem[];
   onUpdateInventory: (id: string, status: InventoryStatus, requestedQuantity?: string) => void;
   onAddUnlistedItem: (name: string, status: InventoryStatus, category: string, requestedQuantity?: string) => void;
+  language: UiLanguage;
 }
 
 const DICT = {
@@ -56,8 +58,7 @@ const DICT = {
   }
 };
 
-export default function CookView({ meals, inventory, onUpdateInventory, onAddUnlistedItem }: Props) {
-  const [lang, setLang] = useState<Language>('hi');
+export default function CookView({ meals, inventory, onUpdateInventory, onAddUnlistedItem, language }: Props) {
   const [searchTerm, setSearchTerm] = useState('');
   const [aiInput, setAiInput] = useState('');
   const [isProcessing, setIsProcessing] = useState(false);
@@ -66,7 +67,9 @@ export default function CookView({ meals, inventory, onUpdateInventory, onAddUnl
   const [editingNoteId, setEditingNoteId] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [noteValue, setNoteValue] = useState('');
 
+  const lang = language;
   const t = DICT[lang];
+  const copy = getCookCopy(lang);
   const today = getLocalDateKey(new Date());
   const todaysMeals = meals[today] || { morning: t.notPlanned, evening: t.notPlanned, notes: undefined, leftovers: undefined };
 
@@ -157,16 +160,12 @@ export default function CookView({ meals, inventory, onUpdateInventory, onAddUnl
         <div className="flex flex-col gap-4 sm:flex-row sm:items-center sm:justify-between">
           <div className="max-w-2xl space-y-2">
             <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.24em] text-stone-500">
-              {lang === 'hi' ? 'कुक वर्कस्पेस' : 'Cook workspace'}
+              {copy.workspaceTag}
             </p>
             <h2 className="text-2xl font-semibold tracking-tight text-stone-900 sm:text-3xl">
-              {lang === 'hi' ? 'आज का मेनू और पेंट्री स्थिति' : t.todayMenu}
+              {copy.title}
             </h2>
-            <p className="text-sm leading-6 text-stone-500">
-              {lang === 'hi'
-                ? 'मेनू, स्मार्ट अपडेट, और पेंट्री चेक एक ही साफ़-सुथरे सतह पर।'
-                : 'Keep menu review, AI updates, and pantry checks on one calm surface.'}
-            </p>
+            <p className="text-sm leading-6 text-stone-500">{copy.helper}</p>
           </div>
           <div className="inline-flex rounded-full border border-stone-200 bg-stone-50 p-1 shadow-sm">
             <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full bg-white px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-semibold tracking-[0.08em] text-stone-500">
@@ -174,13 +173,9 @@ export default function CookView({ meals, inventory, onUpdateInventory, onAddUnl
               Cook View
             </span>
           </div>
-          <button
-            onClick={() => setLang(lang === 'en' ? 'hi' : 'en')}
-            className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-stone-200 bg-white px-4 py-2 text-sm font-semibold text-stone-700 shadow-sm transition-colors hover:bg-stone-50"
-          >
-            <Globe size={16} className="text-orange-600" />
-            {lang === 'en' ? 'हिंदी में देखें' : 'View in English'}
-          </button>
+          <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-stone-200 bg-white px-4 py-2 text-sm font-semibold text-stone-700 shadow-sm">
+            {copy.switchLabel}: {lang === 'hi' ? 'Hindi + Hinglish' : 'English + Hinglish'}
+          </span>
         </div>
       </section>
 
@@ -190,10 +185,8 @@ export default function CookView({ meals, inventory, onUpdateInventory, onAddUnl
             <Mic size={20} />
           </div>
           <div>
-            <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold text-stone-900">Smart Assistant</h3>
-            <p className="text-sm text-stone-500">
-              {lang === 'hi' ? 'त्वरित स्टेटस अपडेट और अनलिस्टेड आइटम जोड़ें।' : 'Quick status updates and unlisted item requests.'}
-            </p>
+            <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold text-stone-900">{copy.smartAssistant}</h3>
+            <p className="text-sm text-stone-500">{copy.smartAssistantHelper}</p>
           </div>
         </div>
         <div className="rounded-[28px] border border-stone-200 bg-gradient-to-br from-orange-500 to-orange-600 p-5 text-white shadow-sm md:p-6">
@@ -203,20 +196,20 @@ export default function CookView({ meals, inventory, onUpdateInventory, onAddUnl
               value={aiInput}
               onChange={(e) => setAiInput(e.target.value)}
               placeholder={t.voicePrompt}
+              data-testid="cook-ai-input"
               className="min-w-0 flex-1 rounded-xl border border-white/20 bg-white px-4 py-3 text-stone-800 outline-none transition focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-200"
               disabled={isProcessing}
             />
             <button
               type="submit"
               disabled={isProcessing || !aiInput.trim()}
+              data-testid="cook-ai-submit"
               className="inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded-xl bg-stone-900 px-6 py-3 font-bold text-white transition-colors disabled:opacity-50 hover:bg-stone-800 sm:flex-none"
             >
               {isProcessing ? t.processing : t.voiceBtn}
             </button>
           </form>
-          <p className="mt-3 text-sm text-orange-100/90">
-            Tip: Type something like "Tamatar aur atta khatam ho gaya hai"
-          </p>
+          <p className="mt-3 text-sm text-orange-100/90">{copy.aiTip}</p>
           {errorMessage && (
             <div className="mt-4 rounded-xl border border-red-200 bg-red-50 px-4 py-3 text-sm font-medium text-red-700">
               <div className="flex items-start gap-2">
@@ -305,6 +298,7 @@ export default function CookView({ meals, inventory, onUpdateInventory, onAddUnl
                 placeholder={t.search}
                 value={searchTerm}
                 onChange={(e) => setSearchTerm(e.target.value)}
+                data-testid="cook-pantry-search"
                 className="w-full rounded-xl border border-stone-300 bg-white py-3 pl-10 pr-4 text-sm outline-none transition focus:border-orange-500 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-100"
               />
             </div>
diff --git a/src/components/GroceryList.tsx b/src/components/GroceryList.tsx
index fe4e1f7..3cfc11f 100644
--- a/src/components/GroceryList.tsx
+++ b/src/components/GroceryList.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import { ShoppingCart, CheckCircle2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { InventoryItem, InventoryStatus } from '../types';
+import { getPantryCategoryLabel } from '../utils/pantryCategory';
 
 interface Props {
   inventory: InventoryItem[];
@@ -62,13 +63,14 @@ export default function GroceryList({ inventory, onUpdateInventory }: Props) {
                       )}
                     </div>
                     <p className="text-sm text-stone-500">
-                      {item.category} • {item.status === 'out' ? 'Finished' : 'Running Low'}
+                      {getPantryCategoryLabel(item.category)} • {item.status === 'out' ? 'Finished' : 'Running Low'}
                     </p>
                   </div>
                 </div>
                 <button
                   onClick={() => onUpdateInventory(item.id, 'in-stock')}
                   className="inline-flex w-full items-center justify-center gap-2 rounded-xl border border-emerald-200 bg-emerald-100 px-4 py-2.5 font-medium text-emerald-700 transition-colors hover:bg-emerald-200 sm:w-auto"
+                  data-testid={`grocery-mark-bought-${item.id}`}
                 >
                   <CheckCircle2 size={18} />
                   Mark Bought
diff --git a/src/components/MealPlanner.tsx b/src/components/MealPlanner.tsx
index 8dda56e..b88f79c 100644
--- a/src/components/MealPlanner.tsx
+++ b/src/components/MealPlanner.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import React, { useState } from 'react';
+import React, { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, Sun, Moon, Info, CheckCircle2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { MealPlan } from '../types';
 import { getLocalDateKey } from '../utils/date';
@@ -8,8 +8,33 @@ interface Props {
   onUpdateMeal: (dateStr: string, field: keyof MealPlan, value: string) => void;
 }
 
+type MealDetailField = 'leftovers' | 'notes';
+
+type MealDetailDraft = Record<MealDetailField, string>;
+
+type MealDetailDrafts = Record<string, MealDetailDraft>;
+
+const DETAIL_SAVE_DEBOUNCE_MS = 500;
+
+function createEmptyDetailDraft(): MealDetailDraft {
+  return {
+    leftovers: '',
+    notes: '',
+  };
+}
+
+function getMealDetailValue(meal: MealPlan | undefined, field: MealDetailField): string {
+  if (!meal) {
+    return '';
+  }
+
+  return meal[field] ?? '';
+}
+
 export default function MealPlanner({ meals, onUpdateMeal }: Props) {
   const [currentDate, setCurrentDate] = useState(new Date());
+  const [detailDrafts, setDetailDrafts] = useState<MealDetailDrafts>({});
+  const detailSaveTimers = useRef<Record<string, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null>>({});
   const todayDateKey = getLocalDateKey(new Date());
 
   const getWeekDays = (date: Date): Date[] => {
@@ -42,13 +67,69 @@ export default function MealPlanner({ meals, onUpdateMeal }: Props) {
     onUpdateMeal(dateStr, field, value);
   };
 
+  const syncDetailDraft = (dateStr: string, field: MealDetailField, value: string): void => {
+    setDetailDrafts((currentDrafts) => {
+      const existingDraft = currentDrafts[dateStr] ?? createEmptyDetailDraft();
+      return {
+        ...currentDrafts,
+        [dateStr]: {
+          ...existingDraft,
+          [field]: value,
+        },
+      };
+    });
+  };
+
+  const clearDetailTimer = (dateStr: string, field: MealDetailField): void => {
+    const timerKey = `${dateStr}:${field}`;
+    const existingTimer = detailSaveTimers.current[timerKey];
+    if (existingTimer !== null && existingTimer !== undefined) {
+      clearTimeout(existingTimer);
+    }
+    detailSaveTimers.current[timerKey] = null;
+  };
+
+  const flushDetailSave = (dateStr: string, field: MealDetailField, value: string): void => {
+    clearDetailTimer(dateStr, field);
+    onUpdateMeal(dateStr, field, value);
+  };
+
+  const scheduleDetailSave = (dateStr: string, field: MealDetailField, value: string): void => {
+    clearDetailTimer(dateStr, field);
+    const timerKey = `${dateStr}:${field}`;
+    detailSaveTimers.current[timerKey] = setTimeout(() => {
+      onUpdateMeal(dateStr, field, value);
+      detailSaveTimers.current[timerKey] = null;
+    }, DETAIL_SAVE_DEBOUNCE_MS);
+  };
+
+  const handleDetailChange = (dateStr: string, field: MealDetailField, value: string): void => {
+    syncDetailDraft(dateStr, field, value);
+    scheduleDetailSave(dateStr, field, value);
+  };
+
+  const handleDetailBlur = (dateStr: string, field: MealDetailField, value: string): void => {
+    flushDetailSave(dateStr, field, value);
+  };
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      Object.values(detailSaveTimers.current).forEach((timer) => {
+        if (timer !== null && timer !== undefined) {
+          clearTimeout(timer);
+        }
+      });
+    };
+  }, []);
+
   return (
     <div className="space-y-5">
       <div className="rounded-[24px] border border-stone-200 bg-white px-3 py-3 shadow-sm sm:px-4 lg:px-5">
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 rounded-[20px] bg-stone-50 px-2 py-2 sm:px-3">
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 rounded-[20px] bg-stone-50 px-2 py-3 sm:px-3 sm:py-3.5">
           <button
             onClick={prevWeek}
-            className="flex h-11 w-11 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-stone-600 transition-colors hover:bg-white hover:text-stone-900"
+            data-testid="meal-week-prev"
+            className="flex h-11 w-11 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-stone-600 transition-colors hover:bg-white hover:text-stone-900 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-orange-300"
             aria-label="Previous week"
           >
             <ChevronLeft size={22} />
@@ -62,7 +143,8 @@ export default function MealPlanner({ meals, onUpdateMeal }: Props) {
           </div>
           <button
             onClick={nextWeek}
-            className="flex h-11 w-11 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-stone-600 transition-colors hover:bg-white hover:text-stone-900"
+            data-testid="meal-week-next"
+            className="flex h-11 w-11 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-stone-600 transition-colors hover:bg-white hover:text-stone-900 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-orange-300"
             aria-label="Next week"
           >
             <ChevronRight size={22} />
@@ -71,10 +153,13 @@ export default function MealPlanner({ meals, onUpdateMeal }: Props) {
       </div>
 
       <div className="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 md:grid-cols-2 xl:grid-cols-4 2xl:grid-cols-7">
-        {weekDays.map((day) => {
+        {weekDays.map((day, index) => {
           const dateStr = getLocalDateKey(day);
           const isToday = dateStr === todayDateKey;
           const dayMeals = meals[dateStr] || { morning: '', evening: '', notes: '', leftovers: '' };
+          const dayDetailDraft = detailDrafts[dateStr];
+          const leftoversValue = dayDetailDraft?.leftovers ?? getMealDetailValue(dayMeals, 'leftovers');
+          const notesValue = dayDetailDraft?.notes ?? getMealDetailValue(dayMeals, 'notes');
 
           return (
             <section
@@ -112,8 +197,9 @@ export default function MealPlanner({ meals, onUpdateMeal }: Props) {
                   <textarea
                     value={dayMeals.morning}
                     onChange={(event) => handleMealChange(dateStr, 'morning', event.target.value)}
+                    data-testid={`meal-day-${index}-morning`}
                     placeholder="Plan morning/lunch..."
-                    className="min-h-28 w-full resize-y rounded-2xl border border-stone-200 bg-stone-50 px-3 py-3 text-[15px] leading-6 text-stone-800 outline-none transition focus:border-orange-400 focus:bg-white focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-200"
+                    className="min-h-32 w-full resize-y rounded-2xl border border-stone-200 bg-stone-50 px-4 py-3.5 text-[15px] leading-6 text-stone-800 outline-none transition focus:border-orange-400 focus:bg-white focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-200"
                   />
                 </div>
 
@@ -125,32 +211,51 @@ export default function MealPlanner({ meals, onUpdateMeal }: Props) {
                   <textarea
                     value={dayMeals.evening}
                     onChange={(event) => handleMealChange(dateStr, 'evening', event.target.value)}
+                    data-testid={`meal-day-${index}-evening`}
                     placeholder="Dinner"
-                    className="min-h-28 w-full resize-y rounded-2xl border border-stone-200 bg-stone-50 px-3 py-3 text-[15px] leading-6 text-stone-800 outline-none transition focus:border-orange-400 focus:bg-white focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-200"
+                    className="min-h-32 w-full resize-y rounded-2xl border border-stone-200 bg-stone-50 px-4 py-3.5 text-[15px] leading-6 text-stone-800 outline-none transition focus:border-orange-400 focus:bg-white focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-200"
                   />
                 </div>
 
-                <div className="mt-auto rounded-[20px] border border-stone-200/80 bg-stone-50/80 p-3.5">
-                  <p className="mb-3 text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.2em] text-stone-500">Details</p>
-                  <div className="space-y-3">
-                    <label className="relative block">
-                      <CheckCircle2 size={15} className="absolute left-3 top-3 text-emerald-500" />
-                      <input
-                        type="text"
-                        value={dayMeals.leftovers || ''}
-                        onChange={(event) => handleMealChange(dateStr, 'leftovers', event.target.value)}
-                        placeholder="Leftovers"
-                        className="w-full rounded-xl border border-emerald-200 bg-white py-2.5 pl-9 pr-3 text-sm text-stone-700 outline-none transition focus:border-emerald-400 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-emerald-100"
+                <div
+                  className="mt-auto rounded-[22px] border border-stone-200/80 bg-stone-50/90 p-4"
+                  data-testid={`meal-day-${index}-details`}
+                >
+                  <div className="mb-4 flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
+                    <div>
+                      <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.2em] text-stone-500">Details</p>
+                      <p className="mt-1 text-sm text-stone-500">Add leftovers and notes here. Changes save after a short pause or when you leave the field.</p>
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                  <div className="grid gap-4">
+                    <label className="block">
+                      <span className="mb-2 flex items-center gap-2 text-sm font-semibold text-stone-800">
+                        <CheckCircle2 size={16} className="text-emerald-600" />
+                        Leftovers
+                      </span>
+                      <textarea
+                        value={leftoversValue}
+                        onChange={(event) => handleDetailChange(dateStr, 'leftovers', event.target.value)}
+                        onBlur={(event) => handleDetailBlur(dateStr, 'leftovers', event.target.value)}
+                        data-testid={`meal-day-${index}-leftovers`}
+                        rows={4}
+                        placeholder="Example: Use leftover dal for lunch, keep 2 rotis aside"
+                        className="min-h-28 w-full resize-y rounded-2xl border border-emerald-200 bg-white px-4 py-3.5 text-sm leading-6 text-stone-700 outline-none transition focus:border-emerald-400 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-emerald-100"
                       />
                     </label>
-                    <label className="relative block">
-                      <Info size={15} className="absolute left-3 top-3 text-sky-500" />
-                      <input
-                        type="text"
-                        value={dayMeals.notes || ''}
-                        onChange={(event) => handleMealChange(dateStr, 'notes', event.target.value)}
-                        placeholder="Notes"
-                        className="w-full rounded-xl border border-sky-200 bg-white py-2.5 pl-9 pr-3 text-sm text-stone-700 outline-none transition focus:border-sky-400 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-sky-100"
+                    <label className="block">
+                      <span className="mb-2 flex items-center gap-2 text-sm font-semibold text-stone-800">
+                        <Info size={16} className="text-sky-600" />
+                        Notes
+                      </span>
+                      <textarea
+                        value={notesValue}
+                        onChange={(event) => handleDetailChange(dateStr, 'notes', event.target.value)}
+                        onBlur={(event) => handleDetailBlur(dateStr, 'notes', event.target.value)}
+                        data-testid={`meal-day-${index}-notes`}
+                        rows={4}
+                        placeholder="Example: Make it less spicy for kids"
+                        className="min-h-28 w-full resize-y rounded-2xl border border-sky-200 bg-white px-4 py-3.5 text-sm leading-6 text-stone-700 outline-none transition focus:border-sky-400 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-sky-100"
                       />
                     </label>
                   </div>
diff --git a/src/components/OwnerView.tsx b/src/components/OwnerView.tsx
index be9e842..d9ba0fd 100644
--- a/src/components/OwnerView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/OwnerView.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import React, { useState } from 'react';
 import { CalendarDays, ShoppingCart, Package } from 'lucide-react';
-import { MealPlan, InventoryItem, InventoryStatus, PantryLog } from '../types';
+import { MealPlan, InventoryItem, InventoryStatus, PantryLog, UiLanguage } from '../types';
 import MealPlanner from './MealPlanner';
 import GroceryList from './GroceryList';
 import Pantry from './Pantry';
+import { getOwnerCopy } from '../i18n/copy';
 
 interface Props {
   meals: Record<string, MealPlan>;
@@ -14,10 +15,12 @@ interface Props {
   onDeleteInventoryItem: (id: string) => void;
   onClearAnomaly: (id: string) => void;
   logs: PantryLog[];
+  language: UiLanguage;
 }
 
-export default function OwnerView({ meals, onUpdateMeal, inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventory, onDeleteInventoryItem, onClearAnomaly, logs }: Props) {
+export default function OwnerView({ meals, onUpdateMeal, inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventory, onDeleteInventoryItem, onClearAnomaly, logs, language }: Props) {
   const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState<'meals' | 'grocery' | 'pantry'>('meals');
+  const copy = getOwnerCopy(language);
   const panelClassName = 'min-h-[600px] rounded-[28px] border border-stone-200/80 bg-stone-50/60 p-3 shadow-sm md:p-4';
   const tabButtonClass = (tab: 'meals' | 'grocery' | 'pantry'): string =>
     `flex min-w-0 items-center justify-center gap-2 rounded-[20px] px-4 py-3 text-sm font-semibold transition-all ${
@@ -31,16 +34,16 @@ export default function OwnerView({ meals, onUpdateMeal, inventory, onAddInvento
       <div className="rounded-[28px] border border-stone-200/80 bg-white/90 p-4 shadow-sm backdrop-blur-sm md:p-5">
         <div className="flex flex-col gap-3 lg:flex-row lg:items-end lg:justify-between">
           <div className="max-w-2xl space-y-2">
-            <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.24em] text-stone-500">Owner workspace</p>
-            <h2 className="text-2xl font-semibold tracking-tight text-stone-900 sm:text-3xl">Plan, track, and review in one place.</h2>
+            <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.24em] text-stone-500">{copy.workspaceTag}</p>
+            <h2 className="text-2xl font-semibold tracking-tight text-stone-900 sm:text-3xl">{copy.title}</h2>
             <p className="text-sm leading-6 text-stone-500">
-              Switch between meal planning, grocery, and pantry management without losing context or visual rhythm.
+              {copy.helper}
             </p>
           </div>
           <div className="inline-flex rounded-full border border-stone-200 bg-stone-50 p-1 shadow-sm">
             <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full bg-white px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-semibold tracking-[0.08em] text-stone-500">
               <CalendarDays size={14} />
-              Owner View
+              {copy.chip}
             </span>
           </div>
         </div>
@@ -48,17 +51,17 @@ export default function OwnerView({ meals, onUpdateMeal, inventory, onAddInvento
 
       <div className="space-y-4">
         <div className="grid grid-cols-1 gap-2 sm:grid-cols-3">
-          <button onClick={() => setActiveTab('meals')} className={tabButtonClass('meals')}>
+          <button onClick={() => setActiveTab('meals')} className={tabButtonClass('meals')} data-testid="owner-tab-meals">
             <CalendarDays size={18} />
-            Meal Plan
+            {copy.mealsTab}
           </button>
-          <button onClick={() => setActiveTab('grocery')} className={tabButtonClass('grocery')}>
+          <button onClick={() => setActiveTab('grocery')} className={tabButtonClass('grocery')} data-testid="owner-tab-grocery">
             <ShoppingCart size={18} />
-            Grocery List
+            {copy.groceryTab}
           </button>
-          <button onClick={() => setActiveTab('pantry')} className={tabButtonClass('pantry')}>
+          <button onClick={() => setActiveTab('pantry')} className={tabButtonClass('pantry')} data-testid="owner-tab-pantry">
             <Package size={18} />
-            Pantry & Logs
+            {copy.pantryTab}
           </button>
         </div>
 
diff --git a/src/components/Pantry.tsx b/src/components/Pantry.tsx
index 2799057..d259151 100644
--- a/src/components/Pantry.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Pantry.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,13 @@ import React, { useState } from 'react';
 import { AlertTriangle, CheckCircle2, Clock, History, Package, Plus, Search, Trash2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { InventoryItem, InventoryStatus, PantryLog } from '../types';
 import { generateId } from '../utils/id';
+import {
+  getPantryCategoryLabel,
+  getPantryCategoryOptions,
+  normalizePantryCategory,
+  pantryCategoryMatchesSearch,
+  type PantryCategoryKey,
+} from '../utils/pantryCategory';
 
 interface Props {
   inventory: InventoryItem[];
@@ -12,11 +19,11 @@ interface Props {
   logs: PantryLog[];
 }
 
-const categories: readonly string[] = ['Spices', 'Pulses', 'Staples', 'Veggies', 'Dairy', 'Other'];
+const categoryOptions = getPantryCategoryOptions();
 
 export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventory, onDeleteInventoryItem, onClearAnomaly, logs }: Props) {
   const [newItemName, setNewItemName] = useState<string>('');
-  const [newItemCategory, setNewItemCategory] = useState<string>('Spices');
+  const [newItemCategory, setNewItemCategory] = useState<PantryCategoryKey>('spices');
   const [newItemQuantity, setNewItemQuantity] = useState<string>('');
   const [searchTerm, setSearchTerm] = useState<string>('');
   const [viewMode, setViewMode] = useState<'inventory' | 'logs'>('inventory');
@@ -50,7 +57,7 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
   const filteredInventory = inventory.filter(
     (item) =>
       item.name.toLowerCase().includes(searchTerm.toLowerCase()) ||
-      item.category.toLowerCase().includes(searchTerm.toLowerCase()),
+      pantryCategoryMatchesSearch(item.category, searchTerm),
   );
 
   const formatTime = (isoString: string): string => {
@@ -86,6 +93,7 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
               className={`flex-1 rounded-full px-4 py-2 text-sm font-semibold transition-colors lg:flex-none ${
                 viewMode === 'inventory' ? 'bg-white text-stone-900 shadow-sm' : 'text-stone-500 hover:text-stone-700'
               }`}
+              data-testid="pantry-view-inventory"
             >
               Inventory
             </button>
@@ -94,6 +102,7 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
               className={`flex flex-1 items-center justify-center gap-1.5 rounded-full px-4 py-2 text-sm font-semibold transition-colors lg:flex-none ${
                 viewMode === 'logs' ? 'bg-white text-stone-900 shadow-sm' : 'text-stone-500 hover:text-stone-700'
               }`}
+              data-testid="pantry-view-logs"
             >
               <History size={16} />
               Activity Logs
@@ -116,15 +125,17 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
                 value={newItemName}
                 onChange={(event) => setNewItemName(event.target.value)}
                 className="w-full rounded-xl border border-stone-300 bg-white px-4 py-3 text-sm outline-none transition focus:border-orange-500 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-100"
+                data-testid="pantry-new-item-name"
               />
               <select
                 value={newItemCategory}
-                onChange={(event) => setNewItemCategory(event.target.value)}
+                onChange={(event) => setNewItemCategory(normalizePantryCategory(event.target.value))}
                 className="w-full rounded-xl border border-stone-300 bg-white px-4 py-3 text-sm outline-none transition focus:border-orange-500 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-100"
+                data-testid="pantry-new-item-category"
               >
-                {categories.map((category) => (
-                  <option key={category} value={category}>
-                    {category}
+                {categoryOptions.map((category) => (
+                  <option key={category.value} value={category.value}>
+                    {category.label}
                   </option>
                 ))}
               </select>
@@ -134,10 +145,12 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
                 value={newItemQuantity}
                 onChange={(event) => setNewItemQuantity(event.target.value)}
                 className="w-full rounded-xl border border-stone-300 bg-white px-4 py-3 text-sm outline-none transition focus:border-orange-500 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-100"
+                data-testid="pantry-new-item-quantity"
               />
               <button
                 type="submit"
                 className="inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 rounded-xl bg-orange-600 px-5 py-3 text-sm font-semibold text-white transition-colors hover:bg-orange-700"
+                data-testid="pantry-add-item"
               >
                 <Plus size={18} />
                 Add Item
@@ -159,6 +172,7 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
                   value={searchTerm}
                   onChange={(event) => setSearchTerm(event.target.value)}
                   className="w-full rounded-xl border border-stone-300 bg-white py-3 pl-10 pr-4 text-base outline-none shadow-sm transition focus:border-orange-500 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-orange-100"
+                  data-testid="pantry-search"
                 />
               </div>
             </div>
@@ -193,7 +207,7 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
                             </div>
                           </div>
                         </td>
-                        <td className="px-5 py-4 text-sm text-stone-500">{item.category}</td>
+                        <td className="px-5 py-4 text-sm text-stone-500">{getPantryCategoryLabel(item.category)}</td>
                         <td className="px-5 py-4 text-sm text-stone-500">{item.defaultQuantity || '-'}</td>
                         <td className="px-5 py-4">
                           <select
@@ -206,6 +220,7 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
                                   ? 'border-yellow-200 bg-yellow-50 text-yellow-700'
                                   : 'border-red-200 bg-red-50 text-red-700'
                             }`}
+                            data-testid={`pantry-status-${item.id}`}
                           >
                             <option value="in-stock">In Stock</option>
                             <option value="low">Running Low</option>
@@ -232,6 +247,7 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
                                 onClick={() => onClearAnomaly(item.id)}
                                 className="inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg border border-emerald-200 px-3 py-2 text-emerald-700 transition-colors hover:bg-emerald-50"
                                 title="Verify & Clear Warning"
+                                data-testid={`pantry-clear-anomaly-${item.id}`}
                               >
                                 <CheckCircle2 size={18} />
                               </button>
@@ -240,6 +256,7 @@ export default function Pantry({ inventory, onAddInventoryItem, onUpdateInventor
                               onClick={() => handleDeleteItem(item.id)}
                               className="inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg border border-stone-200 px-3 py-2 text-stone-500 transition-colors hover:border-red-200 hover:bg-red-50 hover:text-red-600"
                               title="Delete Item"
+                              data-testid={`pantry-delete-${item.id}`}
                             >
                               <Trash2 size={18} />
                             </button>
diff --git a/src/i18n/copy.ts b/src/i18n/copy.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1ce069
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/i18n/copy.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+import { UiLanguage } from '../types';
+
+export interface AppCopy {
+  ownerWorkspace: string;
+  cookWorkspace: string;
+  ownerRole: string;
+  cookRole: string;
+  signOut: string;
+  signInPrompt: string;
+  signInWithGoogle: string;
+  accessRemoved: string;
+  accessRemovedDetail: string;
+  householdSettings: string;
+  inviteCookHint: string;
+  inviteCookPlaceholder: string;
+  invite: string;
+  inviting: string;
+  removeCook: string;
+  ownerLanguageLabel: string;
+  cookLanguageLabel: string;
+  ownerLanguageHint: string;
+  cookLanguageHint: string;
+}
+
+export interface OwnerCopy {
+  workspaceTag: string;
+  title: string;
+  helper: string;
+  chip: string;
+  mealsTab: string;
+  groceryTab: string;
+  pantryTab: string;
+}
+
+export interface CookCopy {
+  workspaceTag: string;
+  title: string;
+  helper: string;
+  smartAssistant: string;
+  smartAssistantHelper: string;
+  aiTip: string;
+  switchLabel: string;
+}
+
+const appCopyByLanguage: Record<UiLanguage, AppCopy> = {
+  en: {
+    ownerWorkspace: 'Owner workspace',
+    cookWorkspace: 'Cook workspace',
+    ownerRole: 'Owner',
+    cookRole: 'Cook',
+    signOut: 'Sign Out',
+    signInPrompt: 'Sign in to sync your pantry and meal plans across all devices.',
+    signInWithGoogle: 'Sign in with Google',
+    accessRemoved: 'Access Removed',
+    accessRemovedDetail: 'Your owner removed this cook access. Sign out and ask the owner to invite you again.',
+    householdSettings: 'Household Settings',
+    inviteCookHint: 'Invite your cook to sync the pantry.',
+    inviteCookPlaceholder: "Cook's Gmail address",
+    invite: 'Invite',
+    inviting: 'Inviting...',
+    removeCook: 'Remove Cook',
+    ownerLanguageLabel: 'Owner language profile',
+    cookLanguageLabel: 'Cook language profile',
+    ownerLanguageHint: 'English first with Hinglish helper is recommended for owner operations.',
+    cookLanguageHint: 'Hindi first with Hinglish helper is recommended for cook operations.',
+  },
+  hi: {
+    ownerWorkspace: 'ओनर वर्कस्पेस',
+    cookWorkspace: 'कुक वर्कस्पेस',
+    ownerRole: 'ओनर',
+    cookRole: 'कुक',
+    signOut: 'साइन आउट',
+    signInPrompt: 'पेंट्री और मील प्लान सभी डिवाइस में सिंक करने के लिए साइन इन करें।',
+    signInWithGoogle: 'Google से साइन इन करें',
+    accessRemoved: 'एक्सेस हटाया गया',
+    accessRemovedDetail: 'ओनर ने यह कुक एक्सेस हटा दिया है। साइन आउट करें और फिर से इनवाइट के लिए कहें।',
+    householdSettings: 'घर की सेटिंग्स',
+    inviteCookHint: 'पेंट्री सिंक के लिए अपने कुक को इनवाइट करें।',
+    inviteCookPlaceholder: 'कुक का Gmail पता',
+    invite: 'इनवाइट',
+    inviting: 'इनवाइट भेज रहे हैं...',
+    removeCook: 'कुक हटाएँ',
+    ownerLanguageLabel: 'ओनर भाषा प्रोफाइल',
+    cookLanguageLabel: 'कुक भाषा प्रोफाइल',
+    ownerLanguageHint: 'ओनर काम के लिए English + Hinglish helper सबसे आसान रहता है।',
+    cookLanguageHint: 'कुक के लिए Hindi + Hinglish helper सबसे उपयोगी रहता है।',
+  },
+};
+
+const ownerCopyByLanguage: Record<UiLanguage, OwnerCopy> = {
+  en: {
+    workspaceTag: 'Owner workspace',
+    title: 'Plan, track, and review in one place.',
+    helper: 'Switch between meal planning, grocery, and pantry with clear context. Samajhne ke liye har section simple rakha gaya hai.',
+    chip: 'Owner View',
+    mealsTab: 'Meal Plan',
+    groceryTab: 'Grocery List',
+    pantryTab: 'Pantry & Logs',
+  },
+  hi: {
+    workspaceTag: 'ओनर वर्कस्पेस',
+    title: 'योजना, ट्रैकिंग और समीक्षा एक ही जगह।',
+    helper: 'मील प्लान, किराना और पेंट्री एक ही जगह से संभालें। हर सेक्शन का मतलब आसान रखा गया है।',
+    chip: 'ओनर व्यू',
+    mealsTab: 'मील प्लान',
+    groceryTab: 'किराना सूची',
+    pantryTab: 'पेंट्री और लॉग्स',
+  },
+};
+
+const cookCopyByLanguage: Record<UiLanguage, CookCopy> = {
+  en: {
+    workspaceTag: 'Cook workspace',
+    title: "Today's Menu & Pantry Status",
+    helper: 'Menu, pantry check, and quick updates in one place. Jaldi samajh ke kaam karne ke liye text simple hai.',
+    smartAssistant: 'Smart Assistant',
+    smartAssistantHelper: 'Quick status updates and unlisted item requests. Jo item list me nahi hai, woh bhi add kar sakte ho.',
+    aiTip: 'Tip: Type something like "Tamatar aur atta khatam ho gaya hai".',
+    switchLabel: 'Switch Language',
+  },
+  hi: {
+    workspaceTag: 'कुक वर्कस्पेस',
+    title: 'आज का मेनू और पेंट्री स्थिति',
+    helper: 'मेनू, पेंट्री चेक और त्वरित अपडेट एक ही जगह। जल्दी समझने के लिए Hinglish मदद भी दी गई है।',
+    smartAssistant: 'स्मार्ट असिस्टेंट',
+    smartAssistantHelper: 'त्वरित स्टेटस अपडेट और अनलिस्टेड आइटम रिक्वेस्ट। जो सामान लिस्ट में नहीं है, वह भी जोड़ सकते हैं।',
+    aiTip: 'टिप: ऐसे लिखें "Tamatar aur atta khatam ho gaya hai".',
+    switchLabel: 'भाषा बदलें',
+  },
+};
+
+export function getAppCopy(language: UiLanguage): AppCopy {
+  return appCopyByLanguage[language];
+}
+
+export function getOwnerCopy(language: UiLanguage): OwnerCopy {
+  return ownerCopyByLanguage[language];
+}
+
+export function getCookCopy(language: UiLanguage): CookCopy {
+  return cookCopyByLanguage[language];
+}
diff --git a/src/services/householdService.ts b/src/services/householdService.ts
index 699b1a5..b248050 100644
--- a/src/services/householdService.ts
+++ b/src/services/householdService.ts
@@ -8,12 +8,14 @@ import {
   runTransaction,
   where,
 } from 'firebase/firestore';
-import { Role } from '../types';
+import { Role, UiLanguage } from '../types';
 import { seedHouseholdData } from './seedService';
 
 export interface HouseholdData {
   ownerId: string;
   cookEmail: string;
+  ownerLanguage?: UiLanguage;
+  cookLanguage?: UiLanguage;
 }
 
 export interface ResolvedHousehold {
@@ -58,7 +60,12 @@ async function ensureOwnerHousehold(db: Firestore, ownerId: string): Promise<Ens
       };
     }
 
-    transaction.set(householdRef, { ownerId, cookEmail: '' });
+    transaction.set(householdRef, {
+      ownerId,
+      cookEmail: '',
+      ownerLanguage: 'en',
+      cookLanguage: 'hi',
+    });
     return {
       householdId: householdRef.id,
       wasCreated: true,
diff --git a/src/services/inventoryService.ts b/src/services/inventoryService.ts
index bdc3aef..aa21156 100644
--- a/src/services/inventoryService.ts
+++ b/src/services/inventoryService.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import {
 import { InventoryItem, InventoryStatus, Role } from '../types';
 import { sanitizeFirestorePayload } from '../utils/firestorePayload';
 import { generateId } from '../utils/id';
+import { normalizePantryCategory } from '../utils/pantryCategory';
 import { buildPantryLog } from './logService';
 
 interface UpdateInventoryWithLogInput {
@@ -82,9 +83,14 @@ export async function updateInventoryStatusWithLog(input: UpdateInventoryWithLog
 }
 
 export async function addInventoryItem(db: Firestore, householdId: string, item: InventoryItem): Promise<void> {
+  const normalizedItem: InventoryItem = {
+    ...item,
+    category: normalizePantryCategory(item.category),
+  };
+
   await setDoc(
-    doc(db, `households/${householdId}/inventory`, item.id),
-    sanitizeFirestorePayload(item),
+    doc(db, `households/${householdId}/inventory`, normalizedItem.id),
+    sanitizeFirestorePayload(normalizedItem),
   );
 }
 
@@ -98,7 +104,7 @@ export async function addUnlistedItemWithLog(input: AddUnlistedItemWithLogInput)
   const inventoryItem: InventoryItem = {
     id: generateId(),
     name,
-    category: category || 'Requested',
+    category: normalizePantryCategory(category),
     status,
     icon: '🆕',
     requestedQuantity,
diff --git a/src/services/seedService.ts b/src/services/seedService.ts
index f0a40c0..3f55c1f 100644
--- a/src/services/seedService.ts
+++ b/src/services/seedService.ts
@@ -8,18 +8,19 @@ import {
 } from 'firebase/firestore';
 import { InventoryItem, MealPlan } from '../types';
 import { getLocalDateKey } from '../utils/date';
+import { normalizePantryCategory } from '../utils/pantryCategory';
 
 const initialInventory: InventoryItem[] = [
-  { id: '1', name: 'Turmeric (Haldi)', nameHi: 'हल्दी', category: 'Spices', status: 'in-stock', icon: '🟡', defaultQuantity: '200g' },
-  { id: '2', name: 'Red Chilli Powder', nameHi: 'लाल मिर्च', category: 'Spices', status: 'in-stock', icon: '🌶️', defaultQuantity: '200g' },
-  { id: '3', name: 'Garam Masala', nameHi: 'गरम मसाला', category: 'Spices', status: 'in-stock', icon: '🧆', defaultQuantity: '100g' },
-  { id: '4', name: 'Toor Dal', nameHi: 'तूर दाल', category: 'Pulses', status: 'in-stock', icon: '🥣', defaultQuantity: '1kg' },
-  { id: '5', name: 'Basmati Rice', nameHi: 'चावल', category: 'Staples', status: 'in-stock', icon: '🍚', defaultQuantity: '5kg' },
-  { id: '6', name: 'Atta (Wheat Flour)', nameHi: 'आटा', category: 'Staples', status: 'low', icon: '🌾', defaultQuantity: '5kg' },
-  { id: '7', name: 'Mustard Oil', nameHi: 'सरसों का तेल', category: 'Staples', status: 'in-stock', icon: '🛢️', defaultQuantity: '1L' },
-  { id: '8', name: 'Onions', nameHi: 'प्याज', category: 'Veggies', status: 'in-stock', icon: '🧅', defaultQuantity: '2kg' },
-  { id: '9', name: 'Tomatoes', nameHi: 'टमाटर', category: 'Veggies', status: 'out', icon: '🍅', defaultQuantity: '1kg' },
-  { id: '10', name: 'Milk', nameHi: 'दूध', category: 'Dairy', status: 'in-stock', icon: '🥛', defaultQuantity: '1L' },
+  { id: '1', name: 'Turmeric (Haldi)', nameHi: 'हल्दी', category: normalizePantryCategory('Spices'), status: 'in-stock', icon: '🟡', defaultQuantity: '200g' },
+  { id: '2', name: 'Red Chilli Powder', nameHi: 'लाल मिर्च', category: normalizePantryCategory('Spices'), status: 'in-stock', icon: '🌶️', defaultQuantity: '200g' },
+  { id: '3', name: 'Garam Masala', nameHi: 'गरम मसाला', category: normalizePantryCategory('Spices'), status: 'in-stock', icon: '🧆', defaultQuantity: '100g' },
+  { id: '4', name: 'Toor Dal', nameHi: 'तूर दाल', category: normalizePantryCategory('Pulses'), status: 'in-stock', icon: '🥣', defaultQuantity: '1kg' },
+  { id: '5', name: 'Basmati Rice', nameHi: 'चावल', category: normalizePantryCategory('Staples'), status: 'in-stock', icon: '🍚', defaultQuantity: '5kg' },
+  { id: '6', name: 'Atta (Wheat Flour)', nameHi: 'आटा', category: normalizePantryCategory('Staples'), status: 'low', icon: '🌾', defaultQuantity: '5kg' },
+  { id: '7', name: 'Mustard Oil', nameHi: 'सरसों का तेल', category: normalizePantryCategory('Staples'), status: 'in-stock', icon: '🛢️', defaultQuantity: '1L' },
+  { id: '8', name: 'Onions', nameHi: 'प्याज', category: normalizePantryCategory('Veggies'), status: 'in-stock', icon: '🧅', defaultQuantity: '2kg' },
+  { id: '9', name: 'Tomatoes', nameHi: 'टमाटर', category: normalizePantryCategory('Veggies'), status: 'out', icon: '🍅', defaultQuantity: '1kg' },
+  { id: '10', name: 'Milk', nameHi: 'दूध', category: normalizePantryCategory('Dairy'), status: 'in-stock', icon: '🥛', defaultQuantity: '1L' },
 ];
 
 function getInitialMeals(): Record<string, MealPlan> {
diff --git a/src/types.ts b/src/types.ts
index 2809e20..4c59ce1 100644
--- a/src/types.ts
+++ b/src/types.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 export type Role = 'owner' | 'cook';
 export type Language = 'en' | 'hi';
+export type UiLanguage = 'en' | 'hi';
 
 export interface MealPlan {
   morning: string;
@@ -42,6 +43,11 @@ export interface AppState {
   logs: PantryLog[];
 }
 
+export interface HouseholdPreferences {
+  ownerLanguage?: UiLanguage;
+  cookLanguage?: UiLanguage;
+}
+
 export interface AiParseResult {
   understood: boolean;
   message?: string;
diff --git a/src/utils/pantryCategory.ts b/src/utils/pantryCategory.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c53eabf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/utils/pantryCategory.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+import { UiLanguage } from '../types';
+
+export type PantryCategoryKey = 'spices' | 'pulses' | 'staples' | 'veggies' | 'dairy' | 'other';
+export interface PantryCategoryOption {
+  value: PantryCategoryKey;
+  label: string;
+}
+
+const CATEGORY_ALIASES: Record<PantryCategoryKey, readonly string[]> = {
+  spices: ['spices', 'spice', 'masala', 'masale'],
+  pulses: ['pulses', 'pulse', 'dal', 'dals', 'legumes'],
+  staples: ['staples', 'staple', 'ration', 'main ration', 'grains', 'grain'],
+  veggies: ['veggies', 'vegetables', 'vegetable', 'sabzi', 'sabziyan'],
+  dairy: ['dairy', 'milk', 'curd', 'paneer'],
+  other: ['other', 'others', 'misc', 'miscellaneous', 'requested'],
+};
+
+const OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS: Record<PantryCategoryKey, string> = {
+  spices: 'Spices (Masale / मसाले)',
+  pulses: 'Pulses (Dal / दालें)',
+  staples: 'Main Ration (Atta/Chawal/Tel / मुख्य राशन)',
+  veggies: 'Vegetables (Sabzi / सब्ज़ियाँ)',
+  dairy: 'Dairy (Doodh/Paneer / डेयरी)',
+  other: 'Other (Baaki / अन्य)',
+};
+
+const CATEGORY_NAMES: Record<PantryCategoryKey, { en: string; hi: string }> = {
+  spices: { en: 'Spices', hi: 'मसाले' },
+  pulses: { en: 'Pulses', hi: 'दालें' },
+  staples: { en: 'Main Ration', hi: 'मुख्य राशन' },
+  veggies: { en: 'Vegetables', hi: 'सब्ज़ियाँ' },
+  dairy: { en: 'Dairy', hi: 'डेयरी' },
+  other: { en: 'Other', hi: 'अन्य' },
+};
+
+function sanitizeCategoryValue(value: string): string {
+  return value.trim().toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z]/g, ' ');
+}
+
+export function normalizePantryCategory(value: string): PantryCategoryKey {
+  const sanitized = sanitizeCategoryValue(value);
+
+  const match = (Object.entries(CATEGORY_ALIASES) as Array<[PantryCategoryKey, readonly string[]]>).find(([, aliases]) =>
+    aliases.some((alias) => sanitized.includes(alias)),
+  );
+
+  if (!match) {
+    return 'other';
+  }
+
+  return match[0];
+}
+
+export function getOwnerCategoryLabel(value: string): string {
+  const key = normalizePantryCategory(value);
+  return OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS[key];
+}
+
+export function getPantryCategoryLabel(value: string): string {
+  return getOwnerCategoryLabel(value);
+}
+
+export function getLocalizedCategoryName(value: string, language: UiLanguage): string {
+  const key = normalizePantryCategory(value);
+  return CATEGORY_NAMES[key][language];
+}
+
+export function getPantryCategoryOptions(): readonly PantryCategoryOption[] {
+  return [
+    { value: 'spices', label: OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS.spices },
+    { value: 'pulses', label: OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS.pulses },
+    { value: 'staples', label: OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS.staples },
+    { value: 'veggies', label: OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS.veggies },
+    { value: 'dairy', label: OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS.dairy },
+    { value: 'other', label: OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS.other },
+  ];
+}
+
+export function pantryCategoryMatchesSearch(category: string, rawSearchTerm: string): boolean {
+  const searchTerm = rawSearchTerm.trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (searchTerm.length === 0) {
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  const key = normalizePantryCategory(category);
+  const normalizedLabel = OWNER_CATEGORY_LABELS[key].toLowerCase();
+  const normalizedEnglish = CATEGORY_NAMES[key].en.toLowerCase();
+  const normalizedHindi = CATEGORY_NAMES[key].hi.toLowerCase();
+
+  return normalizedLabel.includes(searchTerm) || normalizedEnglish.includes(searchTerm) || normalizedHindi.includes(searchTerm);
+}
diff --git a/test/e2e/mocks/ai-endpoint.ts b/test/e2e/mocks/ai-endpoint.ts
index 37bd067..76f3315 100644
--- a/test/e2e/mocks/ai-endpoint.ts
+++ b/test/e2e/mocks/ai-endpoint.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { normalizePantryCategory } from '../../../src/utils/pantryCategory';
+
 interface InventoryPromptItem {
   id: string;
   name: string;
@@ -73,7 +75,7 @@ function findUnlistedItems(input: string) {
     unlistedItems.push({
       name: 'Dhania',
       status: guessStatus(input),
-      category: 'Veggies',
+      category: normalizePantryCategory('Veggies'),
       requestedQuantity,
     });
   }
diff --git a/test/e2e/mocks/google-genai.ts b/test/e2e/mocks/google-genai.ts
index 5b468f4..48bec38 100644
--- a/test/e2e/mocks/google-genai.ts
+++ b/test/e2e/mocks/google-genai.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { normalizePantryCategory } from '../../../src/utils/pantryCategory';
+
 interface GenerateContentInput {
   contents: string;
 }
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ function buildAiResponse(contents: string): string {
   if (normalizedInput.includes('dhania')) {
     unlistedItems.push({
       name: 'Dhania',
-      category: 'Veggies',
+      category: normalizePantryCategory('Veggies'),
       requestedQuantity,
       status: guessStatus(cookInput),
     });
@@ -128,7 +130,7 @@ function buildAiResponse(contents: string): string {
   if (normalizedInput.includes('jeera') && !inventory.some((item) => normalize(item.name).includes('jeera'))) {
     unlistedItems.push({
       name: 'Jeera',
-      category: 'Spices',
+      category: normalizePantryCategory('Spices'),
       requestedQuantity,
       status: guessStatus(cookInput),
     });
diff --git a/test/e2e/run.mjs b/test/e2e/run.mjs
index 227931d..bc1976d 100644
--- a/test/e2e/run.mjs
+++ b/test/e2e/run.mjs
@@ -185,8 +185,8 @@ async function fillByPlaceholder(page, placeholder, value) {
   }
 }
 
-async function setFirstTextarea(page, placeholder, value) {
-  const selector = `textarea[placeholder="${placeholder}"]`;
+async function fillByTestId(page, testId, value) {
+  const selector = `[data-testid="${testId}"]`;
   await page.waitForSelector(selector);
   await page.click(selector, { clickCount: 3 });
   await page.keyboard.press('Backspace');
@@ -195,6 +195,12 @@ async function setFirstTextarea(page, placeholder, value) {
   }
 }
 
+async function clickByTestId(page, testId) {
+  const selector = `[data-testid="${testId}"]`;
+  await page.waitForSelector(selector);
+  await page.click(selector);
+}
+
 async function setRowSelectValue(page, rowText, nextValue) {
   const didUpdate = await page.evaluate(
     ({ expectedRowText, value }) => {
@@ -261,18 +267,25 @@ async function setCookStatus(page, itemText, buttonText) {
   const didClick = await page.evaluate(
     ({ expectedItemText, expectedButtonText }) => {
       const normalize = (input) => input.replace(/\s+/g, ' ').trim();
+      const statusLabels = expectedButtonText === 'Full'
+        ? ['Full', 'पूरा है']
+        : expectedButtonText === 'Low'
+          ? ['Low', 'कम है']
+          : expectedButtonText === 'Empty'
+            ? ['Empty', 'खत्म']
+            : [expectedButtonText];
       const cards = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('section div'));
       const card = cards.find((element) => (
         element instanceof HTMLElement
         && normalize(element.textContent ?? '').includes(expectedItemText)
-        && Array.from(element.querySelectorAll('button')).some((button) => normalize(button.textContent ?? '') === expectedButtonText)
+        && Array.from(element.querySelectorAll('button')).some((button) => statusLabels.includes(normalize(button.textContent ?? '')))
       ));
 
       if (!(card instanceof HTMLElement)) {
         return false;
       }
 
-      const button = Array.from(card.querySelectorAll('button')).find((element) => normalize(element.textContent ?? '') === expectedButtonText);
+      const button = Array.from(card.querySelectorAll('button')).find((element) => statusLabels.includes(normalize(element.textContent ?? '')));
       if (!(button instanceof HTMLElement)) {
         return false;
       }
@@ -297,7 +310,7 @@ async function setCookNote(page, itemText, noteValue) {
       && normalize(element.textContent ?? '').includes(expectedItemText)
       && Array.from(element.querySelectorAll('button')).some((button) => {
         const text = normalize(button.textContent ?? '');
-        return text === 'Add Note' || text.startsWith('Note:');
+        return text === 'Add Note' || text.startsWith('Note:') || text === 'नोट लिखें' || text.startsWith('नोट:');
       })
     ));
 
@@ -307,7 +320,7 @@ async function setCookNote(page, itemText, noteValue) {
 
     const button = Array.from(card.querySelectorAll('button')).find((element) => {
       const text = normalize(element.textContent ?? '');
-      return text === 'Add Note' || text.startsWith('Note:');
+      return text === 'Add Note' || text.startsWith('Note:') || text === 'नोट लिखें' || text.startsWith('नोट:');
     });
     if (!(button instanceof HTMLElement)) {
       return false;
@@ -321,13 +334,25 @@ async function setCookNote(page, itemText, noteValue) {
     throw new Error(`Unable to open note editor for ${itemText}.`);
   }
 
-  const noteSelector = 'input[placeholder="Quantity? (e.g. 2kg)"]';
+  const noteSelector = 'input[placeholder="Quantity? (e.g. 2kg)"], input[placeholder="कितना चाहिए? (उदा: 2kg)"]';
   await page.waitForSelector(noteSelector);
-  await fillByPlaceholder(page, 'Quantity? (e.g. 2kg)', noteValue);
-  await page.waitForSelector('button[title="Save"]');
+  await page.evaluate(() => {
+    const target = document.querySelector('input[placeholder="Quantity? (e.g. 2kg)"], input[placeholder="कितना चाहिए? (उदा: 2kg)"]');
+    if (!(target instanceof HTMLInputElement)) {
+      throw new Error('Note input not found.');
+    }
+    target.focus();
+    target.select();
+  });
+  await page.keyboard.press('Backspace');
+  await page.type('input[placeholder="Quantity? (e.g. 2kg)"], input[placeholder="कितना चाहिए? (उदा: 2kg)"]', noteValue);
+  await page.waitForSelector('button[title="Save"], button[title="सेव"]');
   await page.evaluate(() => {
     const buttons = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('button'));
-    const saveButton = buttons.find((element) => element.getAttribute('title') === 'Save');
+    const saveButton = buttons.find((element) => {
+      const title = element.getAttribute('title');
+      return title === 'Save' || title === 'सेव';
+    });
 
     if (!(saveButton instanceof HTMLElement)) {
       throw new Error('Save button not found.');
@@ -350,7 +375,7 @@ async function runOwnerCoreFlow(page) {
   const repro = [
     'Open /?e2e-role=owner.',
     'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-    'Edit the first morning meal entry.',
+    'Edit the first morning meal entry and save leftovers/notes.',
     'Open Grocery List and mark Tomatoes as bought.',
     'Open Pantry & Logs, add Jeera, then mark it Running Low.',
     'Open Activity Logs and verify the new entry is shown.',
@@ -361,19 +386,37 @@ async function runOwnerCoreFlow(page) {
   await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Sign in with Google');
   await waitForText(page, 'Owner View', uiTimeoutMs);
   await waitForText(page, 'Household Settings', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await setFirstTextarea(page, 'Plan morning/lunch...', 'E2E Poha and fruit');
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'meal-day-0-morning', 'E2E Poha and fruit');
   await page.waitForFunction(
-    () => Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('textarea')).some((element) => element instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement && element.value === 'E2E Poha and fruit'),
+    () => Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('[data-testid="meal-day-0-morning"]')).some((element) => element instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement && element.value === 'E2E Poha and fruit'),
+    { timeout: uiTimeoutMs },
+  );
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'meal-day-0-leftovers', 'E2E leftover dal');
+  await page.keyboard.press('Tab');
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'meal-day-0-notes', 'E2E less spice for kids');
+  await page.keyboard.press('Tab');
+  await sleep(700);
+  await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
+  await waitForText(page, 'Owner View', uiTimeoutMs);
+  await page.waitForFunction(
+    () => {
+      const leftovers = document.querySelector('[data-testid="meal-day-0-leftovers"]');
+      const notes = document.querySelector('[data-testid="meal-day-0-notes"]');
+      return leftovers instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement
+        && notes instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement
+        && leftovers.value === 'E2E leftover dal'
+        && notes.value === 'E2E less spice for kids';
+    },
     { timeout: uiTimeoutMs },
   );
 
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Grocery List');
+  await clickByTestId(page, 'owner-tab-grocery');
   await waitForText(page, 'Tomatoes', uiTimeoutMs);
   await clickTableRowButton(page, 'Tomatoes', 'Mark Bought');
   await waitForText(page, 'Pantry status updated.', uiTimeoutMs);
   await waitForGroceryItemToDisappear(page, 'Tomatoes', uiTimeoutMs);
 
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Pantry & Logs');
+  await clickByTestId(page, 'owner-tab-pantry');
   await waitForText(page, 'Pantry Management', uiTimeoutMs);
   await fillByPlaceholder(page, 'Ingredient name (e.g., Jeera)', 'Jeera');
   await fillByPlaceholder(page, 'Default Size (e.g., 500g)', '500g');
@@ -395,32 +438,31 @@ async function runCookCoreFlow(page) {
   const repro = [
     'Open /?e2e-role=cook.',
     'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-    'Switch to English.',
+    'Use default cook language profile.',
     'Use Smart Assistant with the standard pantry update prompt.',
-    'Search Tomatoes, mark it Full, add a note for Atta, and verify the note is rendered.',
+    'Search tomatoes, mark it Full, add a note for atta, and verify the note is rendered.',
   ];
 
   await page.goto(`${baseUrl}/?e2e-role=cook`, { waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
   await waitForText(page, 'Sign in with Google', uiTimeoutMs);
   await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Sign in with Google');
   await waitForText(page, 'Cook View', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'View in English');
-  await waitForText(page, "Today's Menu", uiTimeoutMs);
-  await fillByPlaceholder(page, "Tell AI what's finished...", 'Tamatar aur atta khatam ho gaya hai, dhania 2 bunch chahiye');
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Update');
-  await waitForText(page, 'Updated successfully!', uiTimeoutMs);
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ["Today's Menu", 'आज का मेनू'], uiTimeoutMs);
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'cook-ai-input', 'Tamatar aur atta khatam ho gaya hai, dhania 2 bunch chahiye');
+  await clickByTestId(page, 'cook-ai-submit');
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ['Updated successfully!', 'अपडेट हो गया!'], uiTimeoutMs);
   await waitForText(page, 'Dhania', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await waitForText(page, 'On List', uiTimeoutMs);
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ['On List', 'सूची में है'], uiTimeoutMs);
 
-  await fillByPlaceholder(page, 'Search ingredients...', 'Tomatoes');
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'cook-pantry-search', 'Tomatoes');
   await waitForText(page, 'Tomatoes', uiTimeoutMs);
   await setCookStatus(page, 'Tomatoes', 'Full');
-  await waitForText(page, 'Tomatoes ➔ Full', uiTimeoutMs);
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ['Tomatoes ➔ Full', 'टमाटर ➔ पूरा है', 'Tomatoes ➔ पूरा है'], uiTimeoutMs);
 
-  await fillByPlaceholder(page, 'Search ingredients...', 'Atta');
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'cook-pantry-search', 'Atta');
   await waitForText(page, 'Atta', uiTimeoutMs);
   await setCookNote(page, 'Atta', '3kg');
-  await waitForText(page, 'Note: 3kg', uiTimeoutMs);
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ['Note: 3kg', 'नोट: 3kg'], uiTimeoutMs);
 
   return {
     name: 'cook-ai-journey',
@@ -433,7 +475,7 @@ async function runMalformedAiResponseCheck(page) {
   const repro = [
     'Open /?e2e-role=cook.',
     'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-    'Switch to English.',
+    'Use default cook language profile.',
     'Submit the malformed AI marker prompt.',
     'Verify the safe AI error message is rendered and the page stays usable.',
   ];
@@ -442,10 +484,9 @@ async function runMalformedAiResponseCheck(page) {
   await waitForText(page, 'Sign in with Google', uiTimeoutMs);
   await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Sign in with Google');
   await waitForText(page, 'Cook View', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'View in English');
-  await waitForText(page, 'Today\'s Menu', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await fillByPlaceholder(page, "Tell AI what's finished...", '__e2e_malformed_ai__');
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Update');
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ["Today's Menu", 'आज का मेनू'], uiTimeoutMs);
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'cook-ai-input', '__e2e_malformed_ai__');
+  await clickByTestId(page, 'cook-ai-submit');
   await waitForAnyText(
     page,
     [
@@ -466,7 +507,7 @@ async function runUnmatchedItemWarningCheck(page) {
   const repro = [
     'Open /?e2e-role=cook.',
     'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-    'Switch to English.',
+    'Use default cook language profile.',
     'Submit the unmatched item marker prompt.',
     'Verify the successful update path runs and Milk moves onto the list.',
   ];
@@ -475,14 +516,13 @@ async function runUnmatchedItemWarningCheck(page) {
   await waitForText(page, 'Sign in with Google', uiTimeoutMs);
   await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Sign in with Google');
   await waitForText(page, 'Cook View', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'View in English');
-  await waitForText(page, "Today's Menu", uiTimeoutMs);
-  await fillByPlaceholder(page, "Tell AI what's finished...", '__e2e_unmatched_item__');
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Update');
-  await waitForText(page, 'Updated successfully!', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await fillByPlaceholder(page, 'Search ingredients...', 'Milk');
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ["Today's Menu", 'आज का मेनू'], uiTimeoutMs);
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'cook-ai-input', '__e2e_unmatched_item__');
+  await clickByTestId(page, 'cook-ai-submit');
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ['Updated successfully!', 'अपडेट हो गया!'], uiTimeoutMs);
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'cook-pantry-search', 'Milk');
   await waitForText(page, 'Milk', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await waitForText(page, 'On List', uiTimeoutMs);
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ['On List', 'सूची में है'], uiTimeoutMs);
 
   return {
     name: 'ai-unmatched-item-warning',
@@ -495,7 +535,7 @@ async function runNoteSavePathCheck(page) {
   const repro = [
     'Open /?e2e-role=cook.',
     'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-    'Switch to English.',
+    'Use default cook language profile.',
     'Search for Atta.',
     'Add a note and save it.',
     'Verify the note renders as saved quantity text.',
@@ -505,12 +545,11 @@ async function runNoteSavePathCheck(page) {
   await waitForText(page, 'Sign in with Google', uiTimeoutMs);
   await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Sign in with Google');
   await waitForText(page, 'Cook View', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'View in English');
-  await waitForText(page, "Today's Menu", uiTimeoutMs);
-  await fillByPlaceholder(page, 'Search ingredients...', 'Atta');
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ["Today's Menu", 'आज का मेनू'], uiTimeoutMs);
+  await fillByTestId(page, 'cook-pantry-search', 'Atta');
   await waitForText(page, 'Atta', uiTimeoutMs);
   await setCookNote(page, 'Atta', '4kg');
-  await waitForText(page, 'Note: 4kg', uiTimeoutMs);
+  await waitForAnyText(page, ['Note: 4kg', 'नोट: 4kg'], uiTimeoutMs);
 
   return {
     name: 'note-save-path',
@@ -532,7 +571,7 @@ async function runRemoveFromGroceryPathCheck(page) {
   await waitForText(page, 'Sign in with Google', uiTimeoutMs);
   await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Sign in with Google');
   await waitForText(page, 'Owner View', uiTimeoutMs);
-  await clickExactText(page, 'button', 'Grocery List');
+  await clickByTestId(page, 'owner-tab-grocery');
   await waitForText(page, 'Tomatoes', uiTimeoutMs);
   await clickTableRowButton(page, 'Tomatoes', 'Mark Bought');
   await waitForText(page, 'Pantry status updated.', uiTimeoutMs);
@@ -584,9 +623,9 @@ const scenarios = [
     repro: [
       'Open /?e2e-role=cook.',
       'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-      'Switch to English.',
+      'Use default cook language profile.',
       'Use Smart Assistant with the standard pantry update prompt.',
-      'Search Tomatoes, mark it Full, add a note for Atta, and verify the note is rendered.',
+      'Search tomatoes, mark it Full, add a note for atta, and verify the note is rendered.',
     ],
     run: runCookCoreFlow,
   },
@@ -595,7 +634,7 @@ const scenarios = [
     repro: [
       'Open /?e2e-role=cook.',
       'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-      'Switch to English.',
+      'Use default cook language profile.',
       'Submit the malformed AI marker prompt.',
       'Verify the safe AI error message is rendered and the page stays usable.',
     ],
@@ -606,7 +645,7 @@ const scenarios = [
     repro: [
       'Open /?e2e-role=cook.',
       'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-      'Switch to English.',
+      'Use default cook language profile.',
       'Submit the unmatched item marker prompt.',
       'Verify the successful update path runs and Milk moves onto the list.',
     ],
@@ -617,7 +656,7 @@ const scenarios = [
     repro: [
       'Open /?e2e-role=cook.',
       'Click "Sign in with Google".',
-      'Switch to English.',
+      'Use default cook language profile.',
       'Search for Atta.',
       'Add a note and save it.',
       'Verify the note renders as saved quantity text.',
diff --git a/test/rules/run.ts b/test/rules/run.ts
index 666ce05..263bef7 100644
--- a/test/rules/run.ts
+++ b/test/rules/run.ts
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ async function seedOwnerHousehold(testEnv: RulesTestEnvironment, cookEmailValue:
     await setDoc(doc(adminDb, 'households', householdId), {
       ownerId: ownerUid,
       cookEmail: cookEmailValue.toLowerCase(),
+      ownerLanguage: 'en',
+      cookLanguage: 'hi',
     });
   });
 }
@@ -154,6 +156,24 @@ async function testNonOwnerCannotUpdateOrDeleteOwnerHousehold(testEnv: RulesTest
   await assertFails(deleteDoc(doc(intruderDb, 'households', householdId)));
 }
 
+async function testOwnerCanUpdateLanguageProfilesWithValidValues(testEnv: RulesTestEnvironment): Promise<void> {
+  await seedOwnerHousehold(testEnv, cookEmail);
+  const ownerDb = getAuthenticatedDb(testEnv, ownerUid, ownerEmail);
+
+  await assertSucceeds(
+    updateDoc(doc(ownerDb, 'households', householdId), {
+      ownerLanguage: 'hi',
+      cookLanguage: 'en',
+    }),
+  );
+
+  await assertFails(
+    updateDoc(doc(ownerDb, 'households', householdId), {
+      ownerLanguage: 'hinglish',
+    }),
+  );
+}
+
 async function testInvitedCookCanReadHouseholdInventoryAndLogs(testEnv: RulesTestEnvironment): Promise<void> {
   await seedOwnerHousehold(testEnv, cookEmail);
   await seedInventoryItem(testEnv);
@@ -268,6 +288,10 @@ async function runAllTests(testEnv: RulesTestEnvironment): Promise<void> {
       name: 'Non-owner cannot update/delete owner household',
       run: testNonOwnerCannotUpdateOrDeleteOwnerHousehold,
     },
+    {
+      name: 'Owner can update language profiles only with supported values',
+      run: testOwnerCanUpdateLanguageProfilesWithValidValues,
+    },
     {
       name: 'Invited cook can read household, inventory, and logs',
       run: testInvitedCookCanReadHouseholdInventoryAndLogs,
diff --git a/test/unit/run.ts b/test/unit/run.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e963dbd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/unit/run.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { getAppCopy, getCookCopy, getOwnerCopy } from '../../src/i18n/copy';
+import {
+  getPantryCategoryLabel,
+  getPantryCategoryOptions,
+  normalizePantryCategory,
+  pantryCategoryMatchesSearch,
+} from '../../src/utils/pantryCategory';
+
+function testPantryCategoryNormalization(): void {
+  assert.equal(normalizePantryCategory('Spices'), 'spices');
+  assert.equal(normalizePantryCategory('Staples'), 'staples');
+  assert.equal(normalizePantryCategory('Veggies'), 'veggies');
+  assert.equal(normalizePantryCategory('Dal Items'), 'pulses');
+  assert.equal(normalizePantryCategory('unknown-category'), 'other');
+}
+
+function testPantryCategoryLabels(): void {
+  const label = getPantryCategoryLabel('staples');
+  assert.equal(label.includes('Main Ration'), true);
+  assert.equal(label.includes('मुख्य राशन'), true);
+  assert.equal(pantryCategoryMatchesSearch('staples', 'ration'), true);
+  assert.equal(pantryCategoryMatchesSearch('staples', 'मुख्य'), true);
+  assert.equal(pantryCategoryMatchesSearch('staples', 'dairy'), false);
+}
+
+function testPantryCategoryOptions(): void {
+  const options = getPantryCategoryOptions();
+  assert.equal(options.length, 6);
+  assert.equal(options.some((option) => option.value === 'spices'), true);
+  assert.equal(options.some((option) => option.value === 'other'), true);
+}
+
+function testCopyCoverage(): void {
+  const appEn = getAppCopy('en');
+  const appHi = getAppCopy('hi');
+  const ownerEn = getOwnerCopy('en');
+  const ownerHi = getOwnerCopy('hi');
+  const cookEn = getCookCopy('en');
+  const cookHi = getCookCopy('hi');
+
+  assert.ok(appEn.signInWithGoogle.length > 0);
+  assert.ok(appHi.signInWithGoogle.length > 0);
+  assert.ok(ownerEn.title.length > 0);
+  assert.ok(ownerHi.title.length > 0);
+  assert.ok(cookEn.smartAssistant.length > 0);
+  assert.ok(cookHi.smartAssistant.length > 0);
+}
+
+function run(): void {
+  testPantryCategoryNormalization();
+  testPantryCategoryLabels();
+  testPantryCategoryOptions();
+  testCopyCoverage();
+  console.log('All unit tests passed.');
+}
+
+run();