Refactor utils for better readability

**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.

No file, entry point, or test is identified. Start by locating the helper utilities and their current error-handling paths, then review existing tests around them. Done means the relevant errors are more descriptive and the affected behavior remains covered by tests.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.