Improve api performance

**Problem**
When working with data, 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 identified. Start by locating the API error-handling path for data operations and determine which messages are currently produced. Done means the intended error cases have more descriptive messages and appropriate tests or verification are documented.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.