Some embodiments of this disclosure include systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for use in a wireless network for generating and using slot format indicator (SFI) and channel occupancy time (COT) structure in new radio (NR) systems operating on unlicensed spectrum. For example, some embodiments are directed to a base station that includes radio front end circuitry and processor circuitry. The processor circuitry can be configured to generate a slot format indicator (SFI) associated with a channel occupancy time (COT) structure. The SFI indicates whether one or more slots associated with the COT structure are to be used for downlink (DL) symbols, uplink (UL) symbols, or flexible symbols. The flexible symbols form one or more gaps in the COT structure in response to the flexible symbols not being overridden as a DL transmission or a UL transmission. The processor circuitry can further be configured to transmit the SFI to a user equipment (UE).