Add configuration options for sorting

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

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

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

The issue names no files, tests, or entry points. Start by locating the authentication and error-handling code, then determine which sorting configuration options and descriptive messages are intended. Done means the requested options are defined and authentication failures provide more useful errors, with relevant tests updated or added.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.