diff --git a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Background.java b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Background.java
index e86be2a..4b1610e 100644
--- a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Background.java
+++ b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Background.java
@@ -99,12 +99,12 @@
                                 end,
                                 gestureScope),
                         event -> TestProtocol.PAUSE_DETECTED_MESSAGE.equals(event.getClassName()),
-                        () -> "Pause wasn't detected");
+                        () -> "Pause wasn't detected", "swiping and holding");
                 mLauncher.runToState(
                         () -> mLauncher.sendPointer(
                                 downTime, SystemClock.uptimeMillis(), MotionEvent.ACTION_UP, end,
                                 gestureScope),
-                        OVERVIEW_STATE_ORDINAL);
+                        OVERVIEW_STATE_ORDINAL, "sending UP event");
                 break;
             }
 
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@
                 mLauncher.expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_MAIN, SQUARE_BUTTON_EVENT);
                 mLauncher.runToState(
                         () -> mLauncher.waitForSystemUiObject("recent_apps").click(),
-                        OVERVIEW_STATE_ORDINAL);
+                        OVERVIEW_STATE_ORDINAL, "clicking Recents button");
                 break;
         }
         expectSwitchToOverviewEvents();
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
                             () -> mLauncher.linearGesture(
                                     startX, startY, endX, endY, 20, false, gestureScope),
                             event -> event.getEventType() == TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGED,
-                            () -> "Quick switch gesture didn't change window state");
+                            () -> "Quick switch gesture didn't change window state", "swiping");
                     break;
                 }
 
@@ -226,13 +226,15 @@
                     // Double press the recents button.
                     UiObject2 recentsButton = mLauncher.waitForSystemUiObject("recent_apps");
                     mLauncher.expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_MAIN, SQUARE_BUTTON_EVENT);
-                    mLauncher.runToState(() -> recentsButton.click(), OVERVIEW_STATE_ORDINAL);
+                    mLauncher.runToState(() -> recentsButton.click(), OVERVIEW_STATE_ORDINAL,
+                            "clicking Recents button for the first time");
                     mLauncher.getOverview();
                     mLauncher.expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_MAIN, SQUARE_BUTTON_EVENT);
                     mLauncher.executeAndWaitForEvent(
                             () -> recentsButton.click(),
                             event -> event.getEventType() == TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGED,
-                            () -> "Pressing recents button didn't change window state");
+                            () -> "Pressing recents button didn't change window state",
+                            "clicking Recents button for the second time");
                     break;
             }
             mLauncher.expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_MAIN, TASK_START_EVENT);
diff --git a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Launchable.java b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Launchable.java
index ec0a740..a15131d 100644
--- a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Launchable.java
+++ b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Launchable.java
@@ -56,26 +56,24 @@
     protected abstract String launchableType();
 
     private Background launch(BySelector selector) {
-        try (LauncherInstrumentation.Closable c = mLauncher.addContextLayer(
-                "clicking " + launchableType())) {
-            LauncherInstrumentation.log("Launchable.launch before click "
-                    + mObject.getVisibleCenter() + " in " + mLauncher.getVisibleBounds(mObject));
-            final String label = mObject.getText();
+        LauncherInstrumentation.log("Launchable.launch before click "
+                + mObject.getVisibleCenter() + " in " + mLauncher.getVisibleBounds(mObject));
+        final String label = mObject.getText();
 
-            mLauncher.executeAndWaitForEvent(
-                    () -> {
-                        mLauncher.clickLauncherObject(mObject);
-                        expectActivityStartEvents();
-                    },
-                    event -> event.getEventType() == TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGED,
-                    () -> "Launching an app didn't open a new window: " + label);
+        mLauncher.executeAndWaitForEvent(
+                () -> {
+                    mLauncher.clickLauncherObject(mObject);
+                    expectActivityStartEvents();
+                },
+                event -> event.getEventType() == TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGED,
+                () -> "Launching an app didn't open a new window: " + label,
+                "clicking " + launchableType());
 
-            mLauncher.assertTrue(
-                    "App didn't start: " + label + " (" + selector + ")",
-                    TestHelpers.wait(Until.hasObject(selector),
-                            LauncherInstrumentation.WAIT_TIME_MS));
-            return new Background(mLauncher);
-        }
+        mLauncher.assertTrue(
+                "App didn't start: " + label + " (" + selector + ")",
+                TestHelpers.wait(Until.hasObject(selector),
+                        LauncherInstrumentation.WAIT_TIME_MS));
+        return new Background(mLauncher);
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/LauncherInstrumentation.java b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/LauncherInstrumentation.java
index af36175..1357658 100644
--- a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/LauncherInstrumentation.java
+++ b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/LauncherInstrumentation.java
@@ -655,26 +655,30 @@
     }
 
     Parcelable executeAndWaitForLauncherEvent(Runnable command,
-            UiAutomation.AccessibilityEventFilter eventFilter, Supplier<String> message) {
+            UiAutomation.AccessibilityEventFilter eventFilter, Supplier<String> message,
+            String actionName) {
         return executeAndWaitForEvent(
                 command,
                 e -> mLauncherPackage.equals(e.getPackageName()) && eventFilter.accept(e),
-                message);
+                message, actionName);
     }
 
     Parcelable executeAndWaitForEvent(Runnable command,
-            UiAutomation.AccessibilityEventFilter eventFilter, Supplier<String> message) {
-        try {
-            final AccessibilityEvent event =
-                    mInstrumentation.getUiAutomation().executeAndWaitForEvent(
-                            command, eventFilter, WAIT_TIME_MS);
-            assertNotNull("executeAndWaitForEvent returned null (this can't happen)", event);
-            final Parcelable parcelableData = event.getParcelableData();
-            event.recycle();
-            return parcelableData;
-        } catch (TimeoutException e) {
-            fail(message.get());
-            return null;
+            UiAutomation.AccessibilityEventFilter eventFilter, Supplier<String> message,
+            String actionName) {
+        try (LauncherInstrumentation.Closable c = addContextLayer(actionName)) {
+            try {
+                final AccessibilityEvent event =
+                        mInstrumentation.getUiAutomation().executeAndWaitForEvent(
+                                command, eventFilter, WAIT_TIME_MS);
+                assertNotNull("executeAndWaitForEvent returned null (this can't happen)", event);
+                final Parcelable parcelableData = event.getParcelableData();
+                event.recycle();
+                return parcelableData;
+            } catch (TimeoutException e) {
+                fail(message.get());
+                return null;
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -720,33 +724,30 @@
                     dumpViewHierarchy();
                     action = "swiping up to home";
 
-                    try (LauncherInstrumentation.Closable c = addContextLayer(action)) {
-                        swipeToState(
-                                displaySize.x / 2, displaySize.y - 1,
-                                displaySize.x / 2, 0,
-                                ZERO_BUTTON_STEPS_FROM_BACKGROUND_TO_HOME, NORMAL_STATE_ORDINAL,
-                                launcherWasVisible
-                                        ? GestureScope.INSIDE_TO_OUTSIDE
-                                        : GestureScope.OUTSIDE_WITH_PILFER);
-                    }
+                    swipeToState(
+                            displaySize.x / 2, displaySize.y - 1,
+                            displaySize.x / 2, 0,
+                            ZERO_BUTTON_STEPS_FROM_BACKGROUND_TO_HOME, NORMAL_STATE_ORDINAL,
+                            launcherWasVisible
+                                    ? GestureScope.INSIDE_TO_OUTSIDE
+                                    : GestureScope.OUTSIDE_WITH_PILFER);
                 }
             } else {
                 log("Hierarchy before clicking home:");
                 dumpViewHierarchy();
                 action = "clicking home button";
-                try (LauncherInstrumentation.Closable c = addContextLayer(action)) {
-                    if (!isLauncher3() && getNavigationModel() == NavigationModel.TWO_BUTTON) {
-                        expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_TIS, EVENT_TOUCH_DOWN_TIS);
-                        expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_TIS, EVENT_TOUCH_UP_TIS);
-                    }
-
-                    runToState(
-                            waitForSystemUiObject("home")::click,
-                            NORMAL_STATE_ORDINAL,
-                            !hasLauncherObject(WORKSPACE_RES_ID)
-                                    && (hasLauncherObject(APPS_RES_ID)
-                                    || hasLauncherObject(OVERVIEW_RES_ID)));
+                if (!isLauncher3() && getNavigationModel() == NavigationModel.TWO_BUTTON) {
+                    expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_TIS, EVENT_TOUCH_DOWN_TIS);
+                    expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_TIS, EVENT_TOUCH_UP_TIS);
                 }
+
+                runToState(
+                        waitForSystemUiObject("home")::click,
+                        NORMAL_STATE_ORDINAL,
+                        !hasLauncherObject(WORKSPACE_RES_ID)
+                                && (hasLauncherObject(APPS_RES_ID)
+                                || hasLauncherObject(OVERVIEW_RES_ID)),
+                        action);
             }
             try (LauncherInstrumentation.Closable c = addContextLayer(
                     "performed action to switch to Home - " + action)) {
@@ -1022,22 +1023,23 @@
                 + "]";
     }
 
-    void runToState(Runnable command, int expectedState, boolean requireEvent) {
+    void runToState(Runnable command, int expectedState, boolean requireEvent, String actionName) {
         if (requireEvent) {
-            runToState(command, expectedState);
+            runToState(command, expectedState, actionName);
         } else {
             command.run();
         }
     }
 
-    void runToState(Runnable command, int expectedState) {
+    void runToState(Runnable command, int expectedState, String actionName) {
         final List<Integer> actualEvents = new ArrayList<>();
         executeAndWaitForLauncherEvent(
                 command,
                 event -> isSwitchToStateEvent(event, expectedState, actualEvents),
                 () -> "Failed to receive an event for the state change: expected ["
                         + TestProtocol.stateOrdinalToString(expectedState)
-                        + "], actual: " + eventListToString(actualEvents));
+                        + "], actual: " + eventListToString(actualEvents),
+                        actionName);
     }
 
     private boolean isSwitchToStateEvent(
@@ -1054,7 +1056,8 @@
             GestureScope gestureScope) {
         runToState(
                 () -> linearGesture(startX, startY, endX, endY, steps, false, gestureScope),
-                expectedState);
+                expectedState,
+                "swiping");
     }
 
     private int getBottomGestureSize() {
@@ -1161,7 +1164,8 @@
                         startX, startY, endX, endY, steps, slowDown, GestureScope.INSIDE),
                 event -> TestProtocol.SCROLL_FINISHED_MESSAGE.equals(event.getClassName()),
                 () -> "Didn't receive a scroll end message: " + startX + ", " + startY
-                        + ", " + endX + ", " + endY);
+                        + ", " + endX + ", " + endY,
+                        "scrolling");
     }
 
     // Inject a swipe gesture. Inject exactly 'steps' motion points, incrementing event time by a
diff --git a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/OverviewTask.java b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/OverviewTask.java
index b235919..657b74d 100644
--- a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/OverviewTask.java
+++ b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/OverviewTask.java
@@ -71,15 +71,13 @@
     public Background open() {
         try (LauncherInstrumentation.Closable e = mLauncher.eventsCheck()) {
             verifyActiveContainer();
-            try (LauncherInstrumentation.Closable c = mLauncher.addContextLayer(
-                    "clicking an overview task")) {
-                mLauncher.executeAndWaitForEvent(
-                        () -> mLauncher.clickLauncherObject(mTask),
-                        event -> event.getEventType() == TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGED,
-                        () -> "Launching task didn't open a new window: "
-                                + mTask.getParent().getContentDescription());
-                mLauncher.expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_MAIN, TASK_START_EVENT);
-            }
+            mLauncher.executeAndWaitForEvent(
+                    () -> mLauncher.clickLauncherObject(mTask),
+                    event -> event.getEventType() == TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGED,
+                    () -> "Launching task didn't open a new window: "
+                            + mTask.getParent().getContentDescription(),
+                    "clicking an overview task");
+            mLauncher.expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_MAIN, TASK_START_EVENT);
             return new Background(mLauncher);
         }
     }
diff --git a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Workspace.java b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Workspace.java
index 1ea0922..43134d9 100644
--- a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Workspace.java
+++ b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/Workspace.java
@@ -190,13 +190,15 @@
                     launcher.movePointer(launchableCenter, dest, 10, downTime, true,
                             LauncherInstrumentation.GestureScope.INSIDE);
                 },
-                SPRING_LOADED_STATE_ORDINAL);
+                SPRING_LOADED_STATE_ORDINAL,
+                "long-pressing and moving");
         LauncherInstrumentation.log("dragIconToWorkspace: moved pointer");
         launcher.runToState(
                 () -> launcher.sendPointer(
                         downTime, SystemClock.uptimeMillis(), MotionEvent.ACTION_UP, dest,
                         LauncherInstrumentation.GestureScope.INSIDE),
-                NORMAL_STATE_ORDINAL);
+                NORMAL_STATE_ORDINAL,
+                "sending UP event");
         if (startsActivity || isWidgetShortcut) {
             launcher.expectEvent(TestProtocol.SEQUENCE_MAIN, LauncherInstrumentation.EVENT_START);
         }