Improve api performance

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

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

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

Start by locating the helpers involved in the API error path and read how their current failures are reported. Define which additional context the messages should expose, then verify that helper errors are more descriptive and useful for debugging.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.