diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 9d5725f1..263fab98 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ async-trait = "0"
 chrono = "0.4.35"
 datafusion-common = "41.0"
 datafusion-physical-plan = "41.0"
+env_logger = "0.10"
 half = { "version" = "=2.4.1", default-features = false, features = [
     "num-traits",
 ] }
diff --git a/docs/mkdocs.yml b/docs/mkdocs.yml
index 0f64a0a3..0bb1ebbe 100644
--- a/docs/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/docs/mkdocs.yml
@@ -211,9 +211,10 @@ nav:
               - TransformersJS Embedding Search: examples/transformerjs_embedding_search_nodejs.md
           - 🦀 Rust:
               - Overview: examples/examples_rust.md
-      - Studies:
+      - 📓 Studies:
           - ↗Improve retrievers with hybrid search and reranking: https://blog.lancedb.com/hybrid-search-and-reranking-report/
       - 💭 FAQs: faq.md
+      - 🔍 Troubleshooting: troubleshooting.md
       - ⚙️ API reference:
           - 🐍 Python: python/python.md
           - 👾 JavaScript (vectordb): javascript/modules.md
diff --git a/docs/src/troubleshooting.md b/docs/src/troubleshooting.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..595753d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/src/troubleshooting.md
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+## Getting help
+
+The following sections provide various diagnostics and troubleshooting tips for LanceDB.
+These can help you provide additional information when asking questions or making
+error reports.
+
+For trouble shooting, the best place to ask is in our Discord, under the relevant
+language channel. By asking in the language-specific channel, it makes it more
+likely that someone who knows the answer will see your question.
+
+## Enabling logging
+
+To provide more information, especially for LanceDB Cloud related issues, enable
+debug logging. You can set the `LANCEDB_LOG` environment variable:
+
+```shell
+export LANCEDB_LOG=debug
+```
+
+You can turn off colors and formatting in the logs by setting
+
+```shell
+export LANCEDB_LOG_STYLE=never
+```
+
+## Explaining query plans
+
+If you have slow queries or unexpected query results, it can be helpful to
+print the resolved query plan. You can use the `explain_plan` method to do this:
+
+* Python Sync: [LanceQueryBuilder.explain_plan][lancedb.query.LanceQueryBuilder.explain_plan]
+* Python Async: [AsyncQueryBase.explain_plan][lancedb.query.AsyncQueryBase.explain_plan]
+* Node @lancedb/lancedb: [LanceQueryBuilder.explainPlan](/lancedb/js/classes/QueryBase/#explainplan)
diff --git a/nodejs/Cargo.toml b/nodejs/Cargo.toml
index f8c0dbb0..458eb4ef 100644
--- a/nodejs/Cargo.toml
+++ b/nodejs/Cargo.toml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ crate-type = ["cdylib"]
 
 [dependencies]
 arrow-ipc.workspace = true
+env_logger.workspace = true
 futures.workspace = true
 lancedb = { path = "../rust/lancedb", features = ["remote"] }
 napi = { version = "2.16.8", default-features = false, features = [
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ napi = { version = "2.16.8", default-features = false, features = [
 napi-derive = "2.16.4"
 # Prevent dynamic linking of lzma, which comes from datafusion
 lzma-sys = { version = "*", features = ["static"] }
+log.workspace = true
 
 [build-dependencies]
 napi-build = "2.1"
diff --git a/nodejs/__test__/remote.test.ts b/nodejs/__test__/remote.test.ts
index 3e693197..6dbac639 100644
--- a/nodejs/__test__/remote.test.ts
+++ b/nodejs/__test__/remote.test.ts
@@ -90,4 +90,29 @@ describe("remote connection", () => {
       },
     );
   });
+
+  it("shows the full error messages on retry errors", async () => {
+    await withMockDatabase(
+      (_req, res) => {
+        // We retry on 500 errors, so we return 500s until the client gives up.
+        res.writeHead(500).end("Internal Server Error");
+      },
+      async (db) => {
+        try {
+          await db.tableNames();
+          fail("expected an error");
+          // biome-ignore lint/suspicious/noExplicitAny: skip
+        } catch (e: any) {
+          expect(e.message).toContain("Hit retry limit for request_id=");
+          expect(e.message).toContain("Caused by: Http error");
+          expect(e.message).toContain("500 Internal Server Error");
+        }
+      },
+      {
+        clientConfig: {
+          retryConfig: { retries: 2 },
+        },
+      },
+    );
+  });
 });
diff --git a/nodejs/src/connection.rs b/nodejs/src/connection.rs
index 9f2a7305..01c41239 100644
--- a/nodejs/src/connection.rs
+++ b/nodejs/src/connection.rs
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ use std::str::FromStr;
 use napi::bindgen_prelude::*;
 use napi_derive::*;
 
+use crate::error::{convert_error, NapiErrorExt};
 use crate::table::Table;
 use crate::ConnectionOptions;
 use lancedb::connection::{
@@ -86,12 +87,7 @@ impl Connection {
             builder = builder.host_override(&host_override);
         }
 
-        Ok(Self::inner_new(
-            builder
-                .execute()
-                .await
-                .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("{}", e)))?,
-        ))
+        Ok(Self::inner_new(builder.execute().await.default_error()?))
     }
 
     #[napi]
@@ -123,9 +119,7 @@ impl Connection {
         if let Some(limit) = limit {
             op = op.limit(limit);
         }
-        op.execute()
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("{}", e)))
+        op.execute().await.default_error()
     }
 
     /// Create table from a Apache Arrow IPC (file) buffer.
@@ -156,17 +150,13 @@ impl Connection {
         }
         if let Some(data_storage_option) = data_storage_options.as_ref() {
             builder = builder.data_storage_version(
-                LanceFileVersion::from_str(data_storage_option)
-                    .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("{}", e)))?,
+                LanceFileVersion::from_str(data_storage_option).map_err(|e| convert_error(&e))?,
             );
         }
         if let Some(enable_v2_manifest_paths) = enable_v2_manifest_paths {
             builder = builder.enable_v2_manifest_paths(enable_v2_manifest_paths);
         }
-        let tbl = builder
-            .execute()
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("{}", e)))?;
+        let tbl = builder.execute().await.default_error()?;
         Ok(Table::new(tbl))
     }
 
@@ -195,17 +185,13 @@ impl Connection {
         }
         if let Some(data_storage_option) = data_storage_options.as_ref() {
             builder = builder.data_storage_version(
-                LanceFileVersion::from_str(data_storage_option)
-                    .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("{}", e)))?,
+                LanceFileVersion::from_str(data_storage_option).map_err(|e| convert_error(&e))?,
             );
         }
         if let Some(enable_v2_manifest_paths) = enable_v2_manifest_paths {
             builder = builder.enable_v2_manifest_paths(enable_v2_manifest_paths);
         }
-        let tbl = builder
-            .execute()
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("{}", e)))?;
+        let tbl = builder.execute().await.default_error()?;
         Ok(Table::new(tbl))
     }
 
@@ -225,19 +211,13 @@ impl Connection {
         if let Some(index_cache_size) = index_cache_size {
             builder = builder.index_cache_size(index_cache_size);
         }
-        let tbl = builder
-            .execute()
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("{}", e)))?;
+        let tbl = builder.execute().await.default_error()?;
         Ok(Table::new(tbl))
     }
 
     /// Drop table with the name. Or raise an error if the table does not exist.
     #[napi(catch_unwind)]
     pub async fn drop_table(&self, name: String) -> napi::Result<()> {
-        self.get_inner()?
-            .drop_table(&name)
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("{}", e)))
+        self.get_inner()?.drop_table(&name).await.default_error()
     }
 }
diff --git a/nodejs/src/error.rs b/nodejs/src/error.rs
index ddbb4471..7fec4725 100644
--- a/nodejs/src/error.rs
+++ b/nodejs/src/error.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,31 @@ pub trait NapiErrorExt<T> {
 
 impl<T> NapiErrorExt<T> for std::result::Result<T, lancedb::Error> {
     fn default_error(self) -> Result<T> {
-        self.map_err(|err| napi::Error::from_reason(err.to_string()))
+        self.map_err(|err| convert_error(&err))
     }
 }
+
+pub fn convert_error(err: &dyn std::error::Error) -> napi::Error {
+    let mut message = err.to_string();
+
+    // Append causes
+    let mut cause = err.source();
+    let mut indent = 2;
+    while let Some(err) = cause {
+        let cause_message = format!("Caused by: {}", err);
+        message.push_str(&indent_string(&cause_message, indent));
+
+        cause = err.source();
+        indent += 2;
+    }
+
+    napi::Error::from_reason(message)
+}
+
+fn indent_string(s: &str, amount: usize) -> String {
+    let indent = " ".repeat(amount);
+    s.lines()
+        .map(|line| format!("{}{}", indent, line))
+        .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+        .join("\n")
+}
diff --git a/nodejs/src/lib.rs b/nodejs/src/lib.rs
index 54fde9bc..a18bc75d 100644
--- a/nodejs/src/lib.rs
+++ b/nodejs/src/lib.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 
+use env_logger::Env;
 use napi_derive::*;
 
 mod connection;
@@ -77,3 +78,11 @@ pub struct WriteOptions {
 pub struct OpenTableOptions {
     pub storage_options: Option<HashMap<String, String>>,
 }
+
+#[napi::module_init]
+fn init() {
+    let env = Env::new()
+        .filter_or("LANCEDB_LOG", "trace")
+        .write_style("LANCEDB_LOG_STYLE");
+    env_logger::init_from_env(env);
+}
diff --git a/nodejs/src/merge.rs b/nodejs/src/merge.rs
index f13091fc..9228ec44 100644
--- a/nodejs/src/merge.rs
+++ b/nodejs/src/merge.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ use lancedb::{arrow::IntoArrow, ipc::ipc_file_to_batches, table::merge::MergeIns
 use napi::bindgen_prelude::*;
 use napi_derive::napi;
 
+use crate::error::convert_error;
+
 #[napi]
 #[derive(Clone)]
 /// A builder used to create and run a merge insert operation
@@ -35,14 +37,18 @@ impl NativeMergeInsertBuilder {
     pub async fn execute(&self, buf: Buffer) -> napi::Result<()> {
         let data = ipc_file_to_batches(buf.to_vec())
             .and_then(IntoArrow::into_arrow)
-            .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to read IPC file: {}", e)))?;
+            .map_err(|e| {
+                napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to read IPC file: {}", convert_error(&e)))
+            })?;
 
         let this = self.clone();
 
-        this.inner
-            .execute(data)
-            .await
-            .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to execute merge insert: {}", e)))
+        this.inner.execute(data).await.map_err(|e| {
+            napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
+                "Failed to execute merge insert: {}",
+                convert_error(&e)
+            ))
+        })
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/nodejs/src/query.rs b/nodejs/src/query.rs
index d3fe7283..d0132699 100644
--- a/nodejs/src/query.rs
+++ b/nodejs/src/query.rs
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ use lancedb::query::VectorQuery as LanceDbVectorQuery;
 use napi::bindgen_prelude::*;
 use napi_derive::napi;
 
+use crate::error::convert_error;
 use crate::error::NapiErrorExt;
 use crate::iterator::RecordBatchIterator;
 use crate::util::parse_distance_type;
@@ -93,7 +94,10 @@ impl Query {
             .execute_with_options(execution_opts)
             .await
             .map_err(|e| {
-                napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to execute query stream: {}", e))
+                napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
+                    "Failed to execute query stream: {}",
+                    convert_error(&e)
+                ))
             })?;
         Ok(RecordBatchIterator::new(inner_stream))
     }
@@ -101,7 +105,10 @@ impl Query {
     #[napi]
     pub async fn explain_plan(&self, verbose: bool) -> napi::Result<String> {
         self.inner.explain_plan(verbose).await.map_err(|e| {
-            napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to retrieve the query plan: {}", e))
+            napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
+                "Failed to retrieve the query plan: {}",
+                convert_error(&e)
+            ))
         })
     }
 }
@@ -190,7 +197,10 @@ impl VectorQuery {
             .execute_with_options(execution_opts)
             .await
             .map_err(|e| {
-                napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to execute query stream: {}", e))
+                napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
+                    "Failed to execute query stream: {}",
+                    convert_error(&e)
+                ))
             })?;
         Ok(RecordBatchIterator::new(inner_stream))
     }
@@ -198,7 +208,10 @@ impl VectorQuery {
     #[napi]
     pub async fn explain_plan(&self, verbose: bool) -> napi::Result<String> {
         self.inner.explain_plan(verbose).await.map_err(|e| {
-            napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to retrieve the query plan: {}", e))
+            napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
+                "Failed to retrieve the query plan: {}",
+                convert_error(&e)
+            ))
         })
     }
 }
diff --git a/nodejs/src/table.rs b/nodejs/src/table.rs
index f9b14e7f..b2da97de 100644
--- a/nodejs/src/table.rs
+++ b/nodejs/src/table.rs
@@ -72,10 +72,7 @@ impl Table {
     /// Return Schema as empty Arrow IPC file.
     #[napi(catch_unwind)]
     pub async fn schema(&self) -> napi::Result<Buffer> {
-        let schema =
-            self.inner_ref()?.schema().await.map_err(|e| {
-                napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to create IPC file: {}", e))
-            })?;
+        let schema = self.inner_ref()?.schema().await.default_error()?;
         let mut writer = FileWriter::try_new(vec![], &schema)
             .map_err(|e| napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Failed to create IPC file: {}", e)))?;
         writer
@@ -100,12 +97,7 @@ impl Table {
             return Err(napi::Error::from_reason(format!("Invalid mode: {}", mode)));
         };
 
-        op.execute().await.map_err(|e| {
-            napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
-                "Failed to add batches to table {}: {}",
-                self.name, e
-            ))
-        })
+        op.execute().await.default_error()
     }
 
     #[napi(catch_unwind)]
@@ -114,22 +106,12 @@ impl Table {
             .count_rows(filter)
             .await
             .map(|val| val as i64)
-            .map_err(|e| {
-                napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
-                    "Failed to count rows in table {}: {}",
-                    self.name, e
-                ))
-            })
+            .default_error()
     }
 
     #[napi(catch_unwind)]
     pub async fn delete(&self, predicate: String) -> napi::Result<()> {
-        self.inner_ref()?.delete(&predicate).await.map_err(|e| {
-            napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
-                "Failed to delete rows in table {}: predicate={}",
-                self.name, e
-            ))
-        })
+        self.inner_ref()?.delete(&predicate).await.default_error()
     }
 
     #[napi(catch_unwind)]
@@ -187,12 +169,7 @@ impl Table {
         self.inner_ref()?
             .add_columns(transforms, None)
             .await
-            .map_err(|err| {
-                napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
-                    "Failed to add columns to table {}: {}",
-                    self.name, err
-                ))
-            })?;
+            .default_error()?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -213,12 +190,7 @@ impl Table {
         self.inner_ref()?
             .alter_columns(&alterations)
             .await
-            .map_err(|err| {
-                napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
-                    "Failed to alter columns in table {}: {}",
-                    self.name, err
-                ))
-            })?;
+            .default_error()?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -228,12 +200,7 @@ impl Table {
         self.inner_ref()?
             .drop_columns(&col_refs)
             .await
-            .map_err(|err| {
-                napi::Error::from_reason(format!(
-                    "Failed to drop columns from table {}: {}",
-                    self.name, err
-                ))
-            })?;
+            .default_error()?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
diff --git a/python/Cargo.toml b/python/Cargo.toml
index 2d42f80f..372dc85a 100644
--- a/python/Cargo.toml
+++ b/python/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ crate-type = ["cdylib"]
 [dependencies]
 arrow = { version = "52.1", features = ["pyarrow"] }
 lancedb = { path = "../rust/lancedb" }
-env_logger = "0.10"
+env_logger.workspace = true
 pyo3 = { version = "0.21", features = ["extension-module", "abi3-py38", "gil-refs"] }
 # Using this fork for now: https://github.com/awestlake87/pyo3-asyncio/issues/119
 # pyo3-asyncio = { version = "0.20", features = ["attributes", "tokio-runtime"] }
diff --git a/rust/lancedb/src/remote/client.rs b/rust/lancedb/src/remote/client.rs
index 83d5a14f..50789108 100644
--- a/rust/lancedb/src/remote/client.rs
+++ b/rust/lancedb/src/remote/client.rs
@@ -266,6 +266,7 @@ impl RestfulLanceDbClient<Sender> {
             Some(host_override) => host_override,
             None => format!("https://{}.{}.api.lancedb.com", db_name, region),
         };
+        debug!("Created client for host: {}", host);
         let retry_config = client_config.retry_config.try_into()?;
         Ok(Self {
             client,
@@ -340,6 +341,8 @@ impl<S: HttpSend> RestfulLanceDbClient<S> {
             request_id
         };
 
+        debug!("Sending request_id={}: {:?}", request_id, &request);
+
         if with_retry {
             self.send_with_retry_impl(client, request, request_id).await
         } else {
@@ -348,6 +351,10 @@ impl<S: HttpSend> RestfulLanceDbClient<S> {
                 .send(&client, request)
                 .await
                 .err_to_http(request_id.clone())?;
+            debug!(
+                "Received response for request_id={}: {:?}",
+                request_id, &response
+            );
             Ok((request_id, response))
         }
     }
@@ -374,7 +381,11 @@ impl<S: HttpSend> RestfulLanceDbClient<S> {
                 .map(|r| (r.status(), r));
             match response {
                 Ok((status, response)) if status.is_success() => {
-                    return Ok((retry_counter.request_id, response))
+                    debug!(
+                        "Received response for request_id={}: {:?}",
+                        retry_counter.request_id, &response
+                    );
+                    return Ok((retry_counter.request_id, response));
                 }
                 Ok((status, response)) if self.retry_config.statuses.contains(&status) => {
                     let source = self