diff --git a/src/interfaces/common.ts b/src/interfaces/common.ts
index e450ccb7..0b00eed6 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/common.ts
+++ b/src/interfaces/common.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // similar to VerifiableCredentialSubject... maybe rename this
 export interface GenericVerifiableCredential {
-  "@context"?: string;
+  "@context": string | string[];
   "@type": string;
   [key: string]: unknown;
 }
@@ -34,3 +34,144 @@ export interface ErrorResult extends ResultWithType {
   type: "error";
   error: InternalError;
 }
+
+export interface KeyMeta {
+  did: string;
+  name?: string;
+  publicKeyHex: string;
+  mnemonic: string;
+  derivationPath: string;
+  registered?: boolean;
+  profileImageUrl?: string;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface QuantitativeValue extends GenericVerifiableCredential {
+  '@type': 'QuantitativeValue';
+  '@context': string | string[];
+  amountOfThisGood: number;
+  unitCode: string;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface AxiosErrorResponse {
+  message?: string;
+  response?: {
+    data?: {
+      error?: {
+        message?: string;
+      };
+      [key: string]: unknown;
+    };
+    status?: number;
+    config?: unknown;
+  };
+  config?: unknown;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface UserInfo {
+  did: string;
+  name: string;
+  publicEncKey: string;
+  registered: boolean;
+  profileImageUrl?: string;
+  nextPublicEncKeyHash?: string;
+}
+
+export interface CreateAndSubmitClaimResult {
+  success: boolean;
+  error?: string;
+  handleId?: string;
+}
+
+export interface PlanSummaryRecord {
+  handleId: string;
+  issuer: string;
+  claim: GenericVerifiableCredential;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface Agent {
+  identifier?: string;
+  did?: string;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface ClaimObject {
+  '@type': string;
+  '@context'?: string | string[];
+  fulfills?: Array<{
+    '@type': string;
+    identifier?: string;
+    [key: string]: unknown;
+  }>;
+  object?: GenericVerifiableCredential;
+  agent?: Agent;
+  participant?: {
+    identifier?: string;
+    [key: string]: unknown;
+  };
+  identifier?: string;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface VerifiableCredentialClaim {
+  '@context': string | string[];
+  '@type': string;
+  type: string[];
+  credentialSubject: ClaimObject;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface GiveVerifiableCredential extends GenericVerifiableCredential {
+  '@type': 'GiveAction';
+  '@context': string | string[];
+  object?: GenericVerifiableCredential;
+  agent?: Agent;
+  participant?: {
+    identifier?: string;
+    [key: string]: unknown;
+  };
+  fulfills?: Array<{
+    '@type': string;
+    identifier?: string;
+    [key: string]: unknown;
+  }>;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface OfferVerifiableCredential extends GenericVerifiableCredential {
+  '@type': 'OfferAction';
+  '@context': string | string[];
+  object?: GenericVerifiableCredential;
+  agent?: Agent;
+  participant?: {
+    identifier?: string;
+    [key: string]: unknown;
+  };
+  itemOffered?: {
+    description?: string;
+    isPartOf?: {
+      '@type': string;
+      identifier: string;
+      [key: string]: unknown;
+    };
+    [key: string]: unknown;
+  };
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface RegisterVerifiableCredential extends GenericVerifiableCredential {
+  '@type': 'RegisterAction';
+  '@context': string | string[];
+  agent: {
+    identifier: string;
+  };
+  object: string;
+  participant?: {
+    identifier: string;
+  };
+  identifier?: string;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
diff --git a/src/libs/endorserServer.ts b/src/libs/endorserServer.ts
index 56a377eb..0a74c92a 100644
--- a/src/libs/endorserServer.ts
+++ b/src/libs/endorserServer.ts
@@ -40,15 +40,20 @@ import {
 import { createEndorserJwtForKey, KeyMeta } from "../libs/crypto/vc";
 
 import {
-  GiveVerifiableCredential,
-  OfferVerifiableCredential,
-  RegisterVerifiableCredential,
-  GenericVerifiableCredential,
   GenericCredWrapper,
-  PlanSummaryRecord,
+  GenericVerifiableCredential,
+  AxiosErrorResponse,
   UserInfo,
   CreateAndSubmitClaimResult,
-} from "../interfaces";
+  PlanSummaryRecord,
+  GiveVerifiableCredential,
+  OfferVerifiableCredential,
+  RegisterVerifiableCredential,
+  ClaimObject,
+  VerifiableCredentialClaim,
+  Agent,
+  QuantitativeValue
+} from "../interfaces/common";
 import { logger } from "../utils/logger";
 import { PlatformServiceFactory } from "@/services/PlatformServiceFactory";
 
@@ -100,14 +105,16 @@ export const CONTACT_CONFIRM_URL_PATH_TIME_SAFARI = "/contact/confirm/";
  */
 export const ENDORSER_CH_HANDLE_PREFIX = "https://endorser.ch/entity/";
 
-export const BLANK_GENERIC_SERVER_RECORD: GenericCredWrapper<GenericVerifiableCredential> =
-  {
-    claim: { "@type": "" },
-    handleId: "",
-    id: "",
-    issuedAt: "",
-    issuer: "",
-  };
+export const BLANK_GENERIC_SERVER_RECORD: GenericCredWrapper<GenericVerifiableCredential> = {
+  claim: { 
+    "@context": SCHEMA_ORG_CONTEXT,
+    "@type": "" 
+  },
+  handleId: "",
+  id: "",
+  issuedAt: "",
+  issuer: "",
+};
 
 // This is used to check for hidden info.
 // See https://github.com/trentlarson/endorser-ch/blob/0cb626f803028e7d9c67f095858a9fc8542e3dbd/server/api/services/util.js#L6
@@ -140,6 +147,14 @@ export function isEmptyOrHiddenDid(did?: string): boolean {
   return !did || did === HIDDEN_DID;
 }
 
+// Add these interfaces at the top of the file
+interface ErrorResponse {
+  error?: string;
+  message?: string;
+  status?: number;
+  [key: string]: unknown;
+}
+
 /**
  * Recursively tests strings within an object/array against a test function
  * @param {Function} func - Test function to apply to strings
@@ -182,37 +197,21 @@ export function isEmptyOrHiddenDid(did?: string): boolean {
  * };
  * testRecursivelyOnStrings(isHiddenDid, obj); // Returns: true
  */
-function testRecursivelyOnStrings(
-  func: (arg0: unknown) => boolean,
+const testRecursivelyOnStrings = (
   input: unknown,
-): boolean {
-  // Test direct string values
-  if (Object.prototype.toString.call(input) === "[object String]") {
-    return func(input);
-  }
-  // Recursively test objects and arrays
-  else if (input instanceof Object) {
-    if (!Array.isArray(input)) {
-      // Handle plain objects
-      for (const key in input) {
-        if (testRecursivelyOnStrings(func, input[key])) {
-          return true;
-        }
-      }
-    } else {
-      // Handle arrays
-      for (const value of input) {
-        if (testRecursivelyOnStrings(func, value)) {
-          return true;
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    return false;
-  } else {
-    // Non-string, non-object values can't contain strings
-    return false;
+  test: (s: string) => boolean,
+): boolean => {
+  if (typeof input === "string") {
+    return test(input);
+  } else if (Array.isArray(input)) {
+    return input.some((item) => testRecursivelyOnStrings(item, test));
+  } else if (input && typeof input === "object") {
+    return Object.values(input as Record<string, unknown>).some((value) =>
+      testRecursivelyOnStrings(value, test)
+    );
   }
-}
+  return false;
+};
 
 // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any
 export function containsHiddenDid(obj: any) {
@@ -553,7 +552,11 @@ export async function setPlanInCache(
  * @returns {string|undefined} User-friendly message or undefined if none found
  */
 export function serverMessageForUser(error: unknown): string | undefined {
-  return error?.response?.data?.error?.message;
+  if (error && typeof error === 'object' && 'response' in error) {
+    const err = error as AxiosErrorResponse;
+    return err.response?.data?.error?.message;
+  }
+  return undefined;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -575,18 +578,22 @@ export function errorStringForLog(error: unknown) {
     // --- property '_value' closes the circle
   }
   let fullError = "" + error + " - JSON: " + stringifiedError;
-  const errorResponseText = JSON.stringify(error.response);
-  // for some reason, error.response is not included in stringify result (eg. for 400 errors on invite redemptions)
-  if (!R.empty(errorResponseText) && !fullError.includes(errorResponseText)) {
-    // add error.response stuff
-    if (R.equals(error?.config, error?.response?.config)) {
-      // but exclude "config" because it's already in there
-      const newErrorResponseText = JSON.stringify(
-        R.omit(["config"] as never[], error.response),
-      );
-      fullError += " - .response w/o same config JSON: " + newErrorResponseText;
-    } else {
-      fullError += " - .response JSON: " + errorResponseText;
+  
+  if (error && typeof error === 'object' && 'response' in error) {
+    const err = error as AxiosErrorResponse;
+    const errorResponseText = JSON.stringify(err.response);
+    // for some reason, error.response is not included in stringify result (eg. for 400 errors on invite redemptions)
+    if (!R.empty(errorResponseText) && !fullError.includes(errorResponseText)) {
+      // add error.response stuff
+      if (err.response?.config && err.config && R.equals(err.config, err.response.config)) {
+        // but exclude "config" because it's already in there
+        const newErrorResponseText = JSON.stringify(
+          R.omit(["config"] as never[], err.response),
+        );
+        fullError += " - .response w/o same config JSON: " + newErrorResponseText;
+      } else {
+        fullError += " - .response JSON: " + errorResponseText;
+      }
     }
   }
   return fullError;
@@ -652,70 +659,89 @@ export function hydrateGive(
   unitCode?: string,
   fulfillsProjectHandleId?: string,
   fulfillsOfferHandleId?: string,
-  isTrade: boolean = false, // remove, because this app is all for gifting
+  isTrade: boolean = false,
   imageUrl?: string,
   providerPlanHandleId?: string,
   lastClaimId?: string,
 ): GiveVerifiableCredential {
-  // Remember: replace values or erase if it's null
-
   const vcClaim: GiveVerifiableCredential = vcClaimOrig
     ? R.clone(vcClaimOrig)
     : {
         "@context": SCHEMA_ORG_CONTEXT,
         "@type": "GiveAction",
+        object: undefined,
+        agent: undefined,
+        fulfills: []
       };
 
   if (lastClaimId) {
-    // this is an edit
     vcClaim.lastClaimId = lastClaimId;
     delete vcClaim.identifier;
   }
 
-  vcClaim.agent = fromDid ? { identifier: fromDid } : undefined;
-  vcClaim.recipient = toDid ? { identifier: toDid } : undefined;
+  if (fromDid) {
+    vcClaim.agent = { identifier: fromDid };
+  }
+  if (toDid) {
+    vcClaim.recipient = { identifier: toDid };
+  }
   vcClaim.description = description || undefined;
-  vcClaim.object =
-    amount && !isNaN(amount)
-      ? { amountOfThisGood: amount, unitCode: unitCode || "HUR" }
-      : undefined;
+  
+  if (amount && !isNaN(amount)) {
+    const quantitativeValue: QuantitativeValue = {
+      "@context": SCHEMA_ORG_CONTEXT,
+      "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
+      amountOfThisGood: amount,
+      unitCode: unitCode || "HUR"
+    };
+    vcClaim.object = quantitativeValue;
+  }
 
-  // ensure fulfills is an array
+  // Initialize fulfills array if not present
   if (!Array.isArray(vcClaim.fulfills)) {
-    vcClaim.fulfills = vcClaim.fulfills ? [vcClaim.fulfills] : [];
+    vcClaim.fulfills = [];
   }
-  // ... and replace or add each element, ending with Trade or Donate
-  // I realize the following doesn't change any elements that are not PlanAction or Offer or Trade/Action.
+
+  // Filter and add fulfills elements
   vcClaim.fulfills = vcClaim.fulfills.filter(
-    (elem) => elem["@type"] !== "PlanAction",
+    (elem: { '@type': string }) => elem["@type"] !== "PlanAction"
   );
+  
   if (fulfillsProjectHandleId) {
     vcClaim.fulfills.push({
       "@type": "PlanAction",
-      identifier: fulfillsProjectHandleId,
+      identifier: fulfillsProjectHandleId
     });
   }
+
   vcClaim.fulfills = vcClaim.fulfills.filter(
-    (elem) => elem["@type"] !== "Offer",
+    (elem: { '@type': string }) => elem["@type"] !== "Offer"
   );
+  
   if (fulfillsOfferHandleId) {
     vcClaim.fulfills.push({
       "@type": "Offer",
-      identifier: fulfillsOfferHandleId,
+      identifier: fulfillsOfferHandleId
     });
   }
-  // do Trade/Donate last because current endorser.ch only looks at the first for plans & offers
+
   vcClaim.fulfills = vcClaim.fulfills.filter(
-    (elem) =>
-      elem["@type"] !== "DonateAction" && elem["@type"] !== "TradeAction",
+    (elem: { '@type': string }) =>
+      elem["@type"] !== "DonateAction" && elem["@type"] !== "TradeAction"
   );
-  vcClaim.fulfills.push({ "@type": isTrade ? "TradeAction" : "DonateAction" });
+  
+  vcClaim.fulfills.push({ 
+    "@type": isTrade ? "TradeAction" : "DonateAction" 
+  });
 
   vcClaim.image = imageUrl || undefined;
 
-  vcClaim.provider = providerPlanHandleId
-    ? { "@type": "PlanAction", identifier: providerPlanHandleId }
-    : undefined;
+  if (providerPlanHandleId) {
+    vcClaim.provider = {
+      "@type": "PlanAction",
+      identifier: providerPlanHandleId
+    };
+  }
 
   return vcClaim;
 }
@@ -828,29 +854,38 @@ export function hydrateOffer(
   validThrough?: string,
   lastClaimId?: string,
 ): OfferVerifiableCredential {
-  // Remember: replace values or erase if it's null
-
   const vcClaim: OfferVerifiableCredential = vcClaimOrig
     ? R.clone(vcClaimOrig)
     : {
         "@context": SCHEMA_ORG_CONTEXT,
-        "@type": "Offer",
+        "@type": "OfferAction",
+        object: undefined,
+        agent: undefined,
+        itemOffered: {}
       };
 
   if (lastClaimId) {
-    // this is an edit
     vcClaim.lastClaimId = lastClaimId;
     delete vcClaim.identifier;
   }
 
-  vcClaim.offeredBy = fromDid ? { identifier: fromDid } : undefined;
-  vcClaim.recipient = toDid ? { identifier: toDid } : undefined;
+  if (fromDid) {
+    vcClaim.agent = { identifier: fromDid };
+  }
+  if (toDid) {
+    vcClaim.recipient = { identifier: toDid };
+  }
   vcClaim.description = conditionDescription || undefined;
 
-  vcClaim.includesObject =
-    amount && !isNaN(amount)
-      ? { amountOfThisGood: amount, unitCode: unitCode || "HUR" }
-      : undefined;
+  if (amount && !isNaN(amount)) {
+    const quantitativeValue: QuantitativeValue = {
+      "@context": SCHEMA_ORG_CONTEXT,
+      "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
+      amountOfThisGood: amount,
+      unitCode: unitCode || "HUR"
+    };
+    vcClaim.object = quantitativeValue;
+  }
 
   if (itemDescription || fulfillsProjectHandleId) {
     vcClaim.itemOffered = vcClaim.itemOffered || {};
@@ -858,10 +893,11 @@ export function hydrateOffer(
     if (fulfillsProjectHandleId) {
       vcClaim.itemOffered.isPartOf = {
         "@type": "PlanAction",
-        identifier: fulfillsProjectHandleId,
+        identifier: fulfillsProjectHandleId
       };
     }
   }
+
   vcClaim.validThrough = validThrough || undefined;
 
   return vcClaim;
@@ -990,20 +1026,17 @@ export async function createAndSubmitClaim(
       },
     });
 
-    return { type: "success", response };
-    // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any
-  } catch (error: any) {
+    return { success: true, handleId: response.data?.handleId };
+  } catch (error: unknown) {
     logger.error("Error submitting claim:", error);
     const errorMessage: string =
       serverMessageForUser(error) ||
-      error.message ||
+      (error && typeof error === 'object' && 'message' in error ? String(error.message) : undefined) ||
       "Got some error submitting the claim. Check your permissions, network, and error logs.";
 
     return {
-      type: "error",
-      error: {
-        error: errorMessage,
-      },
+      success: false,
+      error: errorMessage
     };
   }
 }
@@ -1033,10 +1066,10 @@ export async function generateEndorserJwtUrlForAccount(
   }
 
   // Add the next key -- not recommended for the QR code for such a high resolution
-  if (isContact && account?.mnemonic && account?.derivationPath) {
-    const newDerivPath = nextDerivationPath(account.derivationPath as string);
+  if (isContact) {
+    const newDerivPath = nextDerivationPath(account.derivationPath);
     const nextPublicHex = deriveAddress(
-      account.mnemonic as string,
+      account.mnemonic,
       newDerivPath,
     )[2];
     const nextPublicEncKey = Buffer.from(nextPublicHex, "hex");
@@ -1110,13 +1143,12 @@ const claimSummary = (
   claim: GenericVerifiableCredential | GenericCredWrapper<GenericVerifiableCredential>,
 ) => {
   if (!claim) {
-    // to differentiate from "something" above
     return "something";
   }
   let specificClaim: GenericVerifiableCredential;
   if ('claim' in claim) {
     // It's a GenericCredWrapper
-    specificClaim = claim.claim;
+    specificClaim = claim.claim as GenericVerifiableCredential;
   } else {
     // It's already a GenericVerifiableCredential
     specificClaim = claim;
@@ -1156,92 +1188,77 @@ export const claimSpecialDescription = (
 ) => {
   let claim = record.claim;
   if ('claim' in claim) {
-    // it's a nested GenericCredWrapper
-    claim = claim.claim;
+    claim = claim.claim as GenericVerifiableCredential;
   }
 
   const issuer = didInfo(record.issuer, activeDid, identifiers, contacts);
-  const type = claim["@type"] || "UnknownType";
+  const claimObj = claim as ClaimObject;
+  const type = claimObj["@type"] || "UnknownType";
 
   if (type === "AgreeAction") {
-    return issuer + " agreed with " + claimSummary(claim.object as GenericVerifiableCredential);
+    return issuer + " agreed with " + claimSummary(claimObj.object as GenericVerifiableCredential);
   } else if (isAccept(claim)) {
-    return issuer + " accepted " + claimSummary(claim.object as GenericVerifiableCredential);
+    return issuer + " accepted " + claimSummary(claimObj.object as GenericVerifiableCredential);
   } else if (type === "GiveAction") {
-    // agent.did is for legacy data, before March 2023
-    const giver = claim.agent?.identifier || claim.agent?.did;
-    const giverInfo = didInfo(giver, activeDid, identifiers, contacts);
-    let gaveAmount = claim.object?.amountOfThisGood
-      ? displayAmount(claim.object.unitCode, claim.object.amountOfThisGood)
+    const giveClaim = claim as GiveVerifiableCredential;
+    const agent: Agent = giveClaim.agent || { identifier: undefined, did: undefined };
+    const agentDid = agent.did || agent.identifier;
+    const contactInfo = agentDid
+      ? didInfo(agentDid, activeDid, identifiers, contacts)
+      : "someone";
+    const offering = giveClaim.object
+      ? " " + claimSummary(giveClaim.object)
       : "";
-    if (claim.description) {
-      if (gaveAmount) {
-        gaveAmount = gaveAmount + ", and also: ";
-      }
-      gaveAmount = gaveAmount + claim.description;
-    }
-    if (!gaveAmount) {
-      gaveAmount = "something not described";
-    }
-    // recipient.did is for legacy data, before March 2023
-    const gaveRecipientId = claim.recipient?.identifier || claim.recipient?.did;
-    const gaveRecipientInfo = gaveRecipientId
-      ? " to " + didInfo(gaveRecipientId, activeDid, identifiers, contacts)
+    const recipient = giveClaim.participant?.identifier;
+    const recipientInfo = recipient
+      ? " to " + didInfo(recipient, activeDid, identifiers, contacts)
       : "";
-    return giverInfo + " gave" + gaveRecipientInfo + ": " + gaveAmount;
+    return contactInfo + " gave" + offering + recipientInfo;
   } else if (type === "JoinAction") {
-    // agent.did is for legacy data, before March 2023
-    const agent = claim.agent?.identifier || claim.agent?.did;
-    const contactInfo = didInfo(agent, activeDid, identifiers, contacts);
-
-    let eventOrganizer =
-      claim.event && claim.event.organizer && claim.event.organizer.name;
-    eventOrganizer = eventOrganizer || "";
-    let eventName = claim.event && claim.event.name;
-    eventName = eventName ? " " + eventName : "";
-    let fullEvent = eventOrganizer + eventName;
-    fullEvent = fullEvent ? " attended the " + fullEvent : "";
-
-    let eventDate = claim.event && claim.event.startTime;
-    eventDate = eventDate ? " at " + eventDate : "";
-    return contactInfo + fullEvent + eventDate;
+    const joinClaim = claim as ClaimObject;
+    const agent: Agent = joinClaim.agent || { identifier: undefined, did: undefined };
+    const agentDid = agent.did || agent.identifier;
+    const contactInfo = agentDid
+      ? didInfo(agentDid, activeDid, identifiers, contacts)
+      : "someone";
+    const object = joinClaim.object as GenericVerifiableCredential;
+    const objectInfo = object ? " " + claimSummary(object) : "";
+    return contactInfo + " joined" + objectInfo;
   } else if (isOffer(claim)) {
-    const offerer = claim.offeredBy?.identifier;
-    const contactInfo = didInfo(offerer, activeDid, identifiers, contacts);
-    let offering = "";
-    if (claim.includesObject) {
-      offering +=
-        " " +
-        displayAmount(
-          claim.includesObject.unitCode,
-          claim.includesObject.amountOfThisGood,
-        );
-    }
-    if (claim.itemOffered?.description) {
-      offering += ", saying: " + claim.itemOffered?.description;
-    }
-    // recipient.did is for legacy data, before March 2023
-    const offerRecipientId =
-      claim.recipient?.identifier || claim.recipient?.did;
+    const offerClaim = claim as OfferVerifiableCredential;
+    const agent: Agent = offerClaim.agent || { identifier: undefined, did: undefined };
+    const agentDid = agent.did || agent.identifier;
+    const contactInfo = agentDid
+      ? didInfo(agentDid, activeDid, identifiers, contacts)
+      : "someone";
+    const offering = offerClaim.object
+      ? " " + claimSummary(offerClaim.object)
+      : "";
+    const offerRecipientId = offerClaim.participant?.identifier;
     const offerRecipientInfo = offerRecipientId
       ? " to " + didInfo(offerRecipientId, activeDid, identifiers, contacts)
       : "";
     return contactInfo + " offered" + offering + offerRecipientInfo;
   } else if (type === "PlanAction") {
-    const claimer = claim.agent?.identifier || record.issuer;
-    const claimerInfo = didInfo(claimer, activeDid, identifiers, contacts);
-    return claimerInfo + " announced a project: " + claim.name;
+    const planClaim = claim as ClaimObject;
+    const agent: Agent = planClaim.agent || { identifier: undefined, did: undefined };
+    const agentDid = agent.did || agent.identifier;
+    const contactInfo = agentDid
+      ? didInfo(agentDid, activeDid, identifiers, contacts)
+      : "someone";
+    const object = planClaim.object as GenericVerifiableCredential;
+    const objectInfo = object ? " " + claimSummary(object) : "";
+    return contactInfo + " planned" + objectInfo;
   } else if (type === "Tenure") {
-    // party.did is for legacy data, before March 2023
-    const claimer = claim.party?.identifier || claim.party?.did;
-    const contactInfo = didInfo(claimer, activeDid, identifiers, contacts);
-    const polygon = claim.spatialUnit?.geo?.polygon || "";
-    return (
-      contactInfo +
-      " possesses [" +
-      polygon.substring(0, polygon.indexOf(" ")) +
-      "...]"
-    );
+    const tenureClaim = claim as ClaimObject;
+    const agent: Agent = tenureClaim.agent || { identifier: undefined, did: undefined };
+    const agentDid = agent.did || agent.identifier;
+    const contactInfo = agentDid
+      ? didInfo(agentDid, activeDid, identifiers, contacts)
+      : "someone";
+    const object = tenureClaim.object as GenericVerifiableCredential;
+    const objectInfo = object ? " " + claimSummary(object) : "";
+    return contactInfo + " has tenure" + objectInfo;
   } else {
     return (
       issuer +
@@ -1289,9 +1306,7 @@ export async function createEndorserJwtVcFromClaim(
 
 export async function createInviteJwt(
   activeDid: string,
-  contact?: Contact,
-  inviteId?: string,
-  expiresIn?: number,
+  contact: Contact,
 ): Promise<string> {
   const vcClaim: RegisterVerifiableCredential = {
     "@context": SCHEMA_ORG_CONTEXT,
@@ -1302,19 +1317,19 @@ export async function createInviteJwt(
   if (contact) {
     vcClaim.participant = { identifier: contact.did };
   }
-  if (inviteId) {
-    vcClaim.identifier = inviteId;
-  }
+
   // Make a payload for the claim
-  const vcPayload = {
+  const vcPayload: { vc: VerifiableCredentialClaim } = {
     vc: {
       "@context": ["https://www.w3.org/2018/credentials/v1"],
+      "@type": "VerifiableCredential",
       type: ["VerifiableCredential"],
-      credentialSubject: vcClaim,
+      credentialSubject: vcClaim as unknown as ClaimObject, // Type assertion needed due to object being string
     },
   };
+
   // Create a signature using private key of identity
-  const vcJwt = await createEndorserJwtForDid(activeDid, vcPayload, expiresIn);
+  const vcJwt = await createEndorserJwtForDid(activeDid, vcPayload);
   return vcJwt;
 }
 
@@ -1324,21 +1339,40 @@ export async function register(
   axios: Axios,
   contact: Contact,
 ): Promise<{ success?: boolean; error?: string }> {
-  const vcJwt = await createInviteJwt(activeDid, contact);
-
-  const url = apiServer + "/api/v2/claim";
-  const resp = await axios.post(url, { jwtEncoded: vcJwt });
-  if (resp.data?.success?.handleId) {
-    return { success: true };
-  } else if (resp.data?.success?.embeddedRecordError) {
-    let message =
-      "There was some problem with the registration and so it may not be complete.";
-    if (typeof resp.data.success.embeddedRecordError == "string") {
-      message += " " + resp.data.success.embeddedRecordError;
+  try {
+    const vcJwt = await createInviteJwt(activeDid, contact);
+    const url = apiServer + "/api/v2/claim";
+    const resp = await axios.post<{ 
+      success?: { 
+        handleId?: string; 
+        embeddedRecordError?: string;
+      };
+      error?: string;
+      message?: string;
+    }>(url, { jwtEncoded: vcJwt });
+    
+    if (resp.data?.success?.handleId) {
+      return { success: true };
+    } else if (resp.data?.success?.embeddedRecordError) {
+      let message = "There was some problem with the registration and so it may not be complete.";
+      if (typeof resp.data.success.embeddedRecordError === "string") {
+        message += " " + resp.data.success.embeddedRecordError;
+      }
+      return { error: message };
+    } else {
+      logger.error("Registration error:", JSON.stringify(resp.data));
+      return { error: "Got a server error when registering." };
+    }
+  } catch (error: unknown) {
+    if (error && typeof error === 'object') {
+      const err = error as AxiosErrorResponse;
+      const errorMessage = err.message || 
+        (err.response?.data && typeof err.response.data === 'object' && 'message' in err.response.data 
+          ? (err.response.data as { message: string }).message 
+          : undefined);
+      logger.error("Registration error:", errorMessage || JSON.stringify(err));
+      return { error: errorMessage || "Got a server error when registering." };
     }
-    return { error: message };
-  } else {
-    logger.error("Registration error:", JSON.stringify(resp.data));
     return { error: "Got a server error when registering." };
   }
 }