Improve error messages in api

**Problem**
When working with components, the error messages could be more descriptive.

**Suggestion**
Improve error handling and add detailed error messages.

**Context**
This would help with debugging and maintenance.

No files, tests, or entry points are named in the issue. Begin by locating the API component error-handling paths and any existing error-message tests, then identify which failures currently lack useful detail. Done means the relevant component errors provide more descriptive messages and the affected behavior is covered by appropriate tests.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.