diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5a4a1f8..17257a2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ go get github.com/astronomer/epoch
 package main
 
 import (
+    "log"
+
     "github.com/astronomer/epoch/epoch"
     "github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
 )
@@ -52,7 +54,7 @@ func main() {
     v1, _ := epoch.NewSemverVersion("1.0.0")
     v2, _ := epoch.NewSemverVersion("2.0.0")
     
-    migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+    migration, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
         Description("Add email to User").
         ForType(User{}).
             RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -60,6 +62,9 @@ func main() {
             ResponseToPreviousVersion().
                 RemoveField("email").
         Build()
+    if err != nil {
+        log.Fatal(err)
+    }
 
     // Setup Epoch
     epochInstance, err := epoch.NewEpoch().
@@ -69,7 +74,7 @@ func main() {
         Build()
     
     if err != nil {
-        panic(err) 
+        log.Fatal(err)
     }
 
     // Add to Gin
@@ -122,13 +127,16 @@ The new framework uses **flow-based operations** that match the actual migration
 When a v1 client sends a request, it needs to be migrated TO the HEAD version:
 
 ```go
-migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+migration, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
     ForType(User{}).
         RequestToNextVersion().
             AddField("email", "default@example.com").      // Add field for old clients
             RemoveField("deprecated_field").               // Remove deprecated field
             RenameField("name", "full_name").              // Rename old field to new
         Build()
+if err != nil {
+    // handle err
+}
 ```
 
 ### Response Operations (HEAD → Client)
@@ -136,13 +144,16 @@ migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 When returning to a v1 client, response needs to be migrated FROM HEAD to v1:
 
 ```go
-migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+migration, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
     ForType(User{}).
         ResponseToPreviousVersion().
             RemoveField("email").                          // Remove new fields
             AddField("old_field", "default").              // Restore old fields
             RenameField("full_name", "name").              // Rename back to old name
         Build()
+if err != nil {
+    // handle err
+}
 ```
 
 ### Available Operations
@@ -191,7 +202,7 @@ r.GET("/users",
 You can migrate multiple types together:
 
 ```go
-migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+migration, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
     Description("Update User and Product").
     ForType(User{}).
         ResponseToPreviousVersion().
@@ -200,6 +211,9 @@ migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
         ResponseToPreviousVersion().
             RemoveField("currency").
     Build()
+if err != nil {
+    // handle err
+}
 ```
 
 ## Custom Transformations
@@ -207,7 +221,7 @@ migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 Mix declarative operations with custom logic:
 
 ```go
-migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+migration, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
     ForType(User{}).
         RequestToNextVersion().
             AddField("email", "default@example.com").
@@ -219,6 +233,9 @@ migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
                 return nil
             }).
     Build()
+if err != nil {
+    // handle err
+}
 ```
 
 ## Global Transformers
@@ -226,7 +243,7 @@ migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 Apply transformations to all types:
 
 ```go
-migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+migration, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
     CustomRequest(func(req *epoch.RequestInfo) error {
         // Applies to ALL request types
         return nil
@@ -239,6 +256,9 @@ migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
         ResponseToPreviousVersion().
             RemoveField("email").
     Build()
+if err != nil {
+    // handle err
+}
 ```
 
 ## Helper Methods
@@ -385,15 +405,21 @@ Keep migrations focused on single types:
 
 ```go
 // ✅ Good - separate migrations per type
-userChange := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+userChange, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
     ForType(User{}).
         ResponseToPreviousVersion().RemoveField("email").
     Build()
+if err != nil {
+    // handle err
+}
 
-productChange := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+productChange, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
     ForType(Product{}).
         ResponseToPreviousVersion().RemoveField("sku").
     Build()
+if err != nil {
+    // handle err
+}
 
 // ❌ Avoid - mixing types in operations can be confusing
 ```
@@ -404,13 +430,16 @@ Use operations that match the actual migration direction:
 
 ```go
 // ✅ Good - clear flow direction
-migration := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+migration, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
     ForType(User{}).
         RequestToNextVersion().      // Client → HEAD
             AddField("email", "default").
         ResponseToPreviousVersion(). // HEAD → Client
             RemoveField("email").
     Build()
+if err != nil {
+    // handle err
+}
 ```
 
 ## Testing
diff --git a/epoch/integration_test.go b/epoch/integration_test.go
index 52ba69f..85ecc16 100644
--- a/epoch/integration_test.go
+++ b/epoch/integration_test.go
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 			// V1→V2: Add email field
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Add email field to User").
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -167,7 +168,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Rename name to full_name").
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -175,6 +176,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("full_name", "name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -220,13 +222,14 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewSemverVersion("1.0.0")
 			v2, _ := NewSemverVersion("2.0.0")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "default@example.com").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := NewEpoch().
 				WithVersions(v1, v2).
@@ -265,13 +268,14 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "unknown@example.com").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -307,13 +311,14 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "unknown@example.com").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -365,22 +370,24 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v3, _ := NewDateVersion("2025-01-01")
 
 			// V1->V2: Add currency
-			change1 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change1, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Product{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("currency", "USD").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("currency").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// V2->V3: Add description
-			change2 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			change2, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(Product{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("description", "").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("description").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2, v3}, []*VersionChange{change1, change2})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -428,21 +435,23 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 			v3, _ := NewDateVersion("2025-01-01")
 
-			change1 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change1, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Product{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("currency", "USD").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("currency").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			change2 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			change2, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(Product{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("description", "").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("description").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2, v3}, []*VersionChange{change1, change2})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -480,17 +489,19 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			reqChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			reqChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(CreateUserRequest{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "unknown@example.com").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			respChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			respChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("phone").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{reqChange, respChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -552,7 +563,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewSemverVersion("2.0.0")
 			v3, _ := NewSemverVersion("3.0.0")
 
-			v1ToV2 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			v1ToV2, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Rename name to newName").
 				ForType(ErrorTestRequest{}, ErrorTestResponse{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -560,8 +571,9 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("new_name", "name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			v2ToV3 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			v2ToV3, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				Description("Rename newName to betterNewName").
 				ForType(ErrorTestRequest{}, ErrorTestResponse{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -569,15 +581,16 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("better_new_name", "new_name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			var err error
-			e, err = NewEpoch().
+			var epochErr error
+			e, epochErr = NewEpoch().
 				WithVersions(v1, v2, v3).
 				WithHeadVersion().
 				WithChanges(v1ToV2, v2ToV3).
 				WithVersionParameter("X-API-Version").
 				Build()
-			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(epochErr).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			gin.SetMode(gin.TestMode)
 			router = gin.New()
@@ -884,11 +897,12 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -924,17 +938,19 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			userChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			userChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			createChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			createChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(CreateUserRequest{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "default@example.com").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{userChange, createChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1079,19 +1095,21 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change1 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change1, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "test@example.com").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			change2 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v1).
+			change2, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v1).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			_, err := NewEpoch().
+			_, err = NewEpoch().
 				WithVersions(v1, v2).
 				WithChanges(change1, change2).
 				Build()
@@ -1105,17 +1123,19 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 			v3, _ := NewDateVersion("2025-01-01")
 
-			change1 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change1, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "test@example.com").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			change2 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			change2, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				RenameField("name", "full_name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := NewEpoch().
 				WithVersions(v1, v2, v3).
@@ -1133,15 +1153,16 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 			v3, _ := NewDateVersion("2025-01-01")
 
-			userChange1 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			userChange1, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "unknown@example.com").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			userChange2 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			userChange2, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				RenameField("name", "full_name").
@@ -1150,8 +1171,9 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				RenameField("full_name", "name").
 				RemoveField("phone").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			productChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			productChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(Product{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("currency", "USD").
@@ -1160,6 +1182,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				RemoveField("currency").
 				RemoveField("description").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			instance, err := NewEpoch().
 				WithVersions(v1, v2, v3).
@@ -1246,7 +1269,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewSemverVersion("1.0")
 			v2, _ := NewSemverVersion("2.0")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Add phone field to User").
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -1254,6 +1277,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("phone").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := NewEpoch().
 				WithVersions(v1, v2).
@@ -1331,7 +1355,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewSemverVersion("1.0")
 			v2, _ := NewSemverVersion("2.0")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Add email field to User").
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -1339,6 +1363,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := NewEpoch().
 				WithVersions(v1, v2).
@@ -1400,13 +1425,14 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				Name string `json:"name"` // Renamed from "user_name" in older version
 			}
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(SimpleUser{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				RenameField("user_name", "name").
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("name", "user_name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1453,18 +1479,20 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 			// Define change for CreateUserRequest (top-level) and Profile (nested object)
-			requestChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			requestChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(CreateUserRequest{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				RenameField("full_name", "display_name"). // Top-level rename
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// Separate change for nested Profile type
-			profileChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			profileChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Profile{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				RenameField("biography", "bio"). // Nested object rename
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{requestChange, profileChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1516,19 +1544,21 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 			// Define change for User (used as request type) and Role (nested array item)
-			userChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			userChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				RenameField("name", "full_name"). // Top-level rename
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// Separate change for nested Role type in roles[] array
-			roleChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			roleChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Role{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				RenameField("role_name", "name"). // Nested array item rename
 				AddField("priority", 0).          // Add default priority
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{userChange, roleChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1592,11 +1622,12 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("full_name", "name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1647,12 +1678,13 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 			// Migration for Role type in nested array
-			roleChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			roleChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Role{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("name", "role_name").
 				RemoveField("priority").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{roleChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1702,18 +1734,20 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 			// Migration for ListMetadata type
-			metadataChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			metadataChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(ListMetadata{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("updated_by", "author").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// Migration for User in array
-			userChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			userChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("phone").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{metadataChange, userChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1762,19 +1796,21 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 			// Migration for User in array
-			userChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			userChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(User{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// Migration for Role type in deeply nested array (users[].roles[])
-			roleChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			roleChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Role{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("name", "role_name").
 				RemoveField("priority").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{userChange, roleChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1865,12 +1901,13 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 			// Migration for Profile type nested in users[]
-			profileChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			profileChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Profile{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("bio", "biography").
 				RemoveField("avatar").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{profileChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1960,7 +1997,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 
 			// V1→V2: Remove deprecated fields from request, add them back in response
 			// The auto-capture feature should preserve the original values
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Remove description and metadata fields").
 				ForType(AutoCaptureRequest{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -1971,6 +2008,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				AddField("description", "default description"). // Uses captured value instead
 				AddField("metadata", "default metadata").       // Uses captured value instead
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -2036,7 +2074,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Handle optional field").
 				ForType(AutoCaptureRequest{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -2045,6 +2083,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				AddField("description", "default description").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -2085,7 +2124,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Handler override test").
 				ForType(AutoCaptureRequest{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -2094,6 +2133,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				AddField("description", "default description").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -2150,7 +2190,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Complex field preservation").
 				ForType(ComplexRequest{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -2159,6 +2199,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				AddField("settings", map[string]interface{}{"default": true}).
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -2224,7 +2265,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 			v1, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 			v2, _ := NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Concurrent test").
 				ForType(ConcurrentRequest{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -2233,6 +2274,7 @@ var _ = Describe("End-to-End Integration Tests", func() {
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				AddField("description", "default").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := setupBasicEpoch([]*Version{v1, v2}, []*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
diff --git a/epoch/openapi/generator_test.go b/epoch/openapi/generator_test.go
index c5d143d..12dac4f 100644
--- a/epoch/openapi/generator_test.go
+++ b/epoch/openapi/generator_test.go
@@ -186,12 +186,13 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaGenerator", func() {
 			v2, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 			// Create version change
-			change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Add email field").
 				ForType(TestUserResponse{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// Create version bundle
 			versionBundle, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
@@ -266,12 +267,13 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaGenerator", func() {
 			versionBundle, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1})
 
 			// Create version change: remove 'email' field in v1
-			change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, headVersion).
+			change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, headVersion).
 				Description("Add email field").
 				ForType(TestUserResponse{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			v1.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
 
@@ -394,7 +396,7 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaGenerator", func() {
 				headVersion := epoch.NewHeadVersion()
 
 				// Migration from v1 to HEAD
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, headVersion).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, headVersion).
 					Description("Add betterNewName and timezone fields").
 					ForType(UpdateExampleRequest{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
@@ -404,6 +406,7 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaGenerator", func() {
 					RenameField("name", "betterNewName").
 					AddField("timezone", "").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, err := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{headVersion, v1})
 				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
diff --git a/epoch/openapi/swag_integration_test.go b/epoch/openapi/swag_integration_test.go
index ec9b06c..0a6c435 100644
--- a/epoch/openapi/swag_integration_test.go
+++ b/epoch/openapi/swag_integration_test.go
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func createTestVersions() (*epoch.Version, *epoch.Version, *epoch.Version) {
 // createTestMigrations creates the standard v1→v2 and v2→v3 migrations
 func createTestMigrations(v1, v2, v3 *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, *epoch.VersionChange) {
 	// v1→v2: Add email and status fields
-	v1ToV2 := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+	v1ToV2, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 		Description("Add email and status fields to User").
 		ForType(swagTestCreateUserRequest{}).
 		RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -62,9 +62,12 @@ func createTestMigrations(v1, v2, v3 *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, *epo
 		RemoveField("email").
 		RemoveField("status").
 		Build()
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
 
 	// v2→v3: Rename name to full_name, add phone
-	v2ToV3 := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+	v2ToV3, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 		Description("Rename name to full_name, add phone").
 		ForType(swagTestCreateUserRequest{}).
 		RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -75,6 +78,9 @@ func createTestMigrations(v1, v2, v3 *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, *epo
 		RenameField("full_name", "name").
 		RemoveField("phone").
 		Build()
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
 
 	return v1ToV2, v2ToV3
 }
@@ -453,12 +459,13 @@ var _ = Describe("Swag Integration", func() {
 			headVersion := epoch.NewHeadVersion()
 
 			// Simple migration that removes one field
-			change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, headVersion).
+			change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, headVersion).
 				Description("Add email field").
 				ForType(swagTestUserResponse{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("email").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			epochInstance, err := epoch.NewEpoch().
 				WithHeadVersion().
diff --git a/epoch/openapi/version_transformer_test.go b/epoch/openapi/version_transformer_test.go
index 9e72f3e..b25ae24 100644
--- a/epoch/openapi/version_transformer_test.go
+++ b/epoch/openapi/version_transformer_test.go
@@ -66,12 +66,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 				v2, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 				// Create version change: v1 -> v2 adds email
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Add email field").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 					RemoveField("email").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
@@ -106,12 +107,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 				v2, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 				// v1 -> v2 renames "full_name" to "name"
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Rename name to full_name").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 					RenameField("name", "full_name").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
@@ -143,12 +145,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 				v1, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 				v2, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Add status field").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 					RemoveField("status").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
@@ -180,7 +183,7 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 				v2, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
 				// v1 -> v2: adds email, phone, and status
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, buildErr := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Add multiple fields").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
@@ -188,6 +191,7 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 					RemoveField("phone").
 					RemoveField("status").
 					Build()
+				Expect(buildErr).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
 
@@ -229,12 +233,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 
 				// v1 -> v2: add "email" field (v2/HEAD has it, v1 doesn't)
 				// When generating v1 request schema, we start from v2 and remove email
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Add email field").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					RequestToNextVersion().
 					AddField("email", "unknown@example.com").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
@@ -272,12 +277,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 
 				// v1 -> v2: rename "name" to "full_name"
 				// HEAD has "full_name", v1 has "name"
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Rename name to full_name").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					RequestToNextVersion().
 					RenameField("name", "full_name").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
@@ -313,12 +319,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 
 				// v1 -> v2: remove deprecated field (v1 has it, v2 doesn't)
 				// This means RequestToNextVersion removes it when going from v1 to v2
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Remove deprecated field").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					RequestToNextVersion().
 					RemoveField("deprecated_field").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
@@ -357,7 +364,7 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 				// - v1 has "old_status", v2 has "status" (rename)
 				// - v1 doesn't have "email", v2 has "email" (add)
 				// - v1 doesn't have "phone", v2 has "phone" (add)
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, buildErr := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Multiple request changes").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -365,6 +372,7 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 					AddField("phone", "").
 					RenameField("old_status", "status").
 					Build()
+				Expect(buildErr).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
 
@@ -411,12 +419,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 					Field string
 				}
 
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Change for different type").
 					ForType(DifferentType{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 					RemoveField("field").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				v2.Changes = []epoch.VersionChangeInterface{change}
@@ -566,12 +575,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 				v1, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 				v2, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Test change").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 					RemoveField("email").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				transformer := NewVersionTransformer(vb)
@@ -584,12 +594,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 				v1, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 				v2, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Test change").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 					RemoveField("email").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				transformer := NewVersionTransformer(vb)
@@ -605,12 +616,13 @@ var _ = Describe("VersionTransformer", func() {
 				v1, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-01-01")
 				v2, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2024-06-01")
 
-				change := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				change, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 					Description("Test change").
 					ForType(TestUser{}).
 					ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 					RemoveField("email").
 					Build()
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				vb, _ := epoch.NewVersionBundle([]*epoch.Version{v1, v2})
 				transformer := NewVersionTransformer(vb)
diff --git a/epoch/version_change_builder.go b/epoch/version_change_builder.go
index aed734b..cd504f5 100644
--- a/epoch/version_change_builder.go
+++ b/epoch/version_change_builder.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package epoch
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -81,14 +82,14 @@ func (b *versionChangeBuilder) CustomResponse(fn func(*ResponseInfo) error) *ver
 }
 
 // Build compiles all operations into a VersionChange
-func (b *versionChangeBuilder) Build() *VersionChange {
+func (b *versionChangeBuilder) Build() (*VersionChange, error) {
 	if b.description == "" {
 		b.description = "Migration from " + b.fromVersion.String() + " to " + b.toVersion.String()
 	}
 
 	// Validate: require at least one type or custom transformer
 	if len(b.typeOps) == 0 && b.customRequest == nil && b.customResponse == nil {
-		panic("epoch: VersionChange must specify at least one type using ForType() or custom transformers")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("epoch: VersionChange must specify at least one type using ForType() or custom transformers")
 	}
 
 	var instructions []interface{}
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@ func (b *versionChangeBuilder) Build() *VersionChange {
 		}
 	}
 
-	return vc
+	return vc, nil
 }
 
 // typeBuilder builds operations for specific types
@@ -262,7 +263,7 @@ func (tb *typeBuilder) ForType(types ...interface{}) *typeBuilder {
 }
 
 // Build is a convenience method that calls the parent's Build()
-func (tb *typeBuilder) Build() *VersionChange {
+func (tb *typeBuilder) Build() (*VersionChange, error) {
 	return tb.parent.Build()
 }
 
@@ -334,7 +335,7 @@ func (b *requestToNextVersionBuilder) ForType(types ...interface{}) *typeBuilder
 }
 
 // Build completes the builder chain
-func (b *requestToNextVersionBuilder) Build() *VersionChange {
+func (b *requestToNextVersionBuilder) Build() (*VersionChange, error) {
 	return b.parent.Build()
 }
 
@@ -406,7 +407,7 @@ func (b *responseToPreviousVersionBuilder) ForType(types ...interface{}) *typeBu
 }
 
 // Build completes the builder chain
-func (b *responseToPreviousVersionBuilder) Build() *VersionChange {
+func (b *responseToPreviousVersionBuilder) Build() (*VersionChange, error) {
 	return b.parent.Build()
 }
 
diff --git a/epoch/version_change_builder_test.go b/epoch/version_change_builder_test.go
index b2dc62b..ad87563 100644
--- a/epoch/version_change_builder_test.go
+++ b/epoch/version_change_builder_test.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 
 	Describe("Cadwyn-Style API", func() {
 		It("should create migration with clear direction semantics", func() {
-			migration := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			migration, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Add email field to User").
 				ForType(BuilderTestUser{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 				RemoveField("email"). // Remove email from responses for v1 clients
 				Build()
 
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 			Expect(migration).NotTo(BeNil())
 			Expect(migration.Description()).To(Equal("Add email field to User"))
 			Expect(migration.FromVersion()).To(Equal(v1))
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should support multiple schemas in one migration", func() {
-			migration := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			migration, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Update User and Product schemas").
 				ForType(BuilderTestUser{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
@@ -71,12 +72,13 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 				RemoveField("currency"). // Remove new field for v1 clients
 				Build()
 
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 			Expect(migration).NotTo(BeNil())
 			Expect(migration.Description()).To(Equal("Update User and Product schemas"))
 		})
 
 		It("should support global custom transformers", func() {
-			migration := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			migration, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Global custom operations").
 				CustomRequest(func(req *RequestInfo) error {
 					// Custom logic for all requests
@@ -88,24 +90,26 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 				}).
 				Build()
 
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 			Expect(migration).NotTo(BeNil())
 		})
 
 		It("should require at least one schema or custom transformer", func() {
-			Expect(func() {
-				NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
-					Description("Empty migration").
-					Build()
-			}).To(Panic())
+			_, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+				Description("Empty migration").
+				Build()
+			Expect(err).To(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(err.Error()).To(ContainSubstring("at least one type"))
 		})
 
 		It("should generate default description if none provided", func() {
-			migration := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			migration, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(BuilderTestUser{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
 				AddField("email", "test@example.com").
 				Build()
 
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 			Expect(migration.Description()).To(Equal("Migration from 2024-01-01 to 2024-06-01"))
 		})
 	})
@@ -130,12 +134,13 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should apply RequestToNextVersion operations correctly", func() {
-			migration := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2). // v1→v2 migration
-									ForType(BuilderTestUser{}).
-									RequestToNextVersion().
-									AddField("created_at", "2024-01-01").
-									RenameField("name", "full_name").
-									Build()
+			migration, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2). // v1→v2 migration
+										ForType(BuilderTestUser{}).
+										RequestToNextVersion().
+										AddField("created_at", "2024-01-01").
+										RenameField("name", "full_name").
+										Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// Create a mock RequestInfo
 			requestInfo := &RequestInfo{Body: testNode}
@@ -161,12 +166,13 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should apply ResponseToPreviousVersion operations correctly", func() {
-			migration := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v1). // v2→v1 migration
-									ForType(BuilderTestUser{}).
-									ResponseToPreviousVersion().
-									RemoveField("email").
-									AddField("legacy_field", "legacy_value").
-									Build()
+			migration, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v1). // v2→v1 migration
+										ForType(BuilderTestUser{}).
+										ResponseToPreviousVersion().
+										RemoveField("email").
+										AddField("legacy_field", "legacy_value").
+										Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// Create a mock ResponseInfo
 			responseInfo := &ResponseInfo{Body: testNode, StatusCode: 200}
@@ -191,7 +197,7 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 
 	Describe("Builder Fluency", func() {
 		It("should allow chaining between different direction builders", func() {
-			migration := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			migration, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				Description("Complex chaining example").
 				ForType(BuilderTestUser{}).
 				RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -203,17 +209,19 @@ var _ = Describe("SchemaVersionChangeBuilder", func() {
 				RemoveField("currency").
 				Build()
 
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 			Expect(migration).NotTo(BeNil())
 			Expect(migration.Description()).To(Equal("Complex chaining example"))
 		})
 
 		It("should allow returning to schema builder from direction builders", func() {
-			migration := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			migration, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(BuilderTestProduct{}). // Should return to schema builder
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RemoveField("description").
 				Build()
 
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 			Expect(migration).NotTo(BeNil())
 		})
 	})
diff --git a/epoch/version_change_test.go b/epoch/version_change_test.go
index 08c4493..1084624 100644
--- a/epoch/version_change_test.go
+++ b/epoch/version_change_test.go
@@ -402,21 +402,23 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		It("should apply transformations step-by-step (V3→V2→V1)", func() {
 			// V1→V2 migration: title → name, remove category
 			// (When going backward V2→V1)
-			change1 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change1, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("title", "name").
 				RemoveField("category").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// V2→V3 migration: display_name → title, remove priority
 			// (When going backward V3→V2)
-			change2 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			change2, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "title").
 				RemoveField("priority").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			// Build chain
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change1, change2})
@@ -469,12 +471,13 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 
 		It("should handle V3→V2 migrations correctly", func() {
 			// V2→V3 migration
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "title").
 				RemoveField("priority").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -511,19 +514,21 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should handle multiple items in nested arrays", func() {
-			change1 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change1, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("title", "name").
 				RemoveField("category").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			change2 := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			change2, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "title").
 				RemoveField("priority").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change1, change2})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -566,11 +571,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should handle empty nested arrays gracefully", func() {
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "title").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -595,11 +601,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should preserve nestedArrayTypes through migration chain", func() {
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "title").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -790,11 +797,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 	Describe("Nested object transformations", func() {
 		It("should demonstrate that standard RenameField does NOT work on nested fields", func() {
 			// This test documents the LIMITATION: standard operations only work on top-level
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Container{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("created_by", "author"). // This targets top-level, not nested metadata!
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -823,11 +831,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 
 		It("should transform nested objects using MigrateResponseForTypeWithNestedObjects", func() {
 			// Migration for Metadata type
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Container{}, Metadata{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("created_by", "author").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -866,17 +875,19 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 			// Each item has a details object (nested object inside array item)
 			// With recursive transformation, the details object WILL be transformed
 
-			detailsChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			detailsChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Details{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("last_updated", "updated_at").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			itemChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			itemChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{detailsChange, itemChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -925,17 +936,19 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		It("should recursively transform both first-level and second-level array items", func() {
 			// Test items[].subitems[] - two-level nesting
 			// With recursive transformation, both levels should be transformed
-			subItemChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			subItemChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(SubItem{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("label", "name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			itemChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			itemChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "title").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{subItemChange, itemChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1006,17 +1019,19 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		}
 
 		It("should handle multiple arrays registered at same level", func() {
-			userChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			userChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(UserItem{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("name", "user_name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			productChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			productChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(ProductItem{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("title", "product_title").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{userChange, productChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1055,11 +1070,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 
 	Describe("Edge cases and error handling", func() {
 		It("should handle null field values gracefully", func() {
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1089,11 +1105,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should handle type mismatch gracefully (expected array got object)", func() {
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1119,11 +1136,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should handle missing field to rename gracefully", func() {
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("nonexistent_field", "new_name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1153,11 +1171,12 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("should handle large payloads with many nested items", func() {
-			change := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			change, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(Item{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("display_name", "name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{change})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -1226,23 +1245,26 @@ var _ = Describe("Nested Array Multi-Step Migrations", func() {
 				Items []ItemWithDeepNesting `json:"items"`
 			}
 
-			subSubItemChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			subSubItemChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(SubSubItem{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("code", "item_code").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			subItemChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			subItemChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(SubItemWithNesting{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("label", "sub_label").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
-			itemChange := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+			itemChange, err := NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 				ForType(ItemWithDeepNesting{}).
 				ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 				RenameField("name", "item_name").
 				Build()
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 			chain, err := NewMigrationChain([]*VersionChange{subSubItemChange, subItemChange, itemChange})
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
diff --git a/examples/advanced/main.go b/examples/advanced/main.go
index 73ecf83..d98c75e 100644
--- a/examples/advanced/main.go
+++ b/examples/advanced/main.go
@@ -470,22 +470,55 @@ func main() {
 	v3, _ := epoch.NewDateVersion("2025-01-01")
 
 	// Build Epoch instance
+	userV1ToV2, err := createUserV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build migration: %v", err))
+	}
+	profileV1ToV2, err := createProfileV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build migration: %v", err))
+	}
+	skillV1ToV2, err := createSkillV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build migration: %v", err))
+	}
+	profileSettingsV1ToV2, err := createProfileSettingsV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build migration: %v", err))
+	}
+	userV2ToV3, err := createUserV2ToV3Migration(v2, v3)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build migration: %v", err))
+	}
+	productV2ToV3, err := createProductV2ToV3Migration(v2, v3)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build migration: %v", err))
+	}
+	exampleV1ToV2, err := createExampleV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build migration: %v", err))
+	}
+	exampleV2ToV3, err := createExampleV2ToV3Migration(v2, v3)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build migration: %v", err))
+	}
+
 	epochInstance, err := epoch.NewEpoch().
 		WithVersions(v1, v2, v3).
 		WithHeadVersion().
 		WithChanges(
 			// User v1->v2: Top-level fields + nested type transformations (separate for each type)
-			createUserV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2),
-			createProfileV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2),
-			createSkillV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2),
-			createProfileSettingsV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2),
+			userV1ToV2,
+			profileV1ToV2,
+			skillV1ToV2,
+			profileSettingsV1ToV2,
 			// User v2->v3
-			createUserV2ToV3Migration(v2, v3),
+			userV2ToV3,
 			// Product v2->v3
-			createProductV2ToV3Migration(v2, v3),
+			productV2ToV3,
 			// Example migrations
-			createExampleV1ToV2Migration(v1, v2),
-			createExampleV2ToV3Migration(v2, v3),
+			exampleV1ToV2,
+			exampleV2ToV3,
 		).
 		WithTypes(
 			// User types (including nested types for profile, skills, settings)
@@ -815,12 +848,7 @@ func main() {
 
 // createUserV1ToV2Migration defines migrations for TOP-LEVEL user fields only
 // Nested types (Profile, Skill, Settings) have their own separate migrations
-//
-// IMPORTANT: This migration demonstrates the AUTO-CAPTURE feature:
-// - RemoveField("legacy_notes") on request CAPTURES the value before removing
-// - AddField("legacy_notes", "") on response USES the captured value instead of the default
-// This enables seamless round-trip preservation of deprecated fields!
-func createUserV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createUserV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	return epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(from, to).
 		Description("Add email and status fields, deprecate legacy_notes (auto-captured)").
 		// Only target top-level user types (NOT nested types - they have separate migrations)
@@ -839,7 +867,7 @@ func createUserV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
 }
 
 // createProfileV1ToV2Migration handles nested Profile object transformations
-func createProfileV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createProfileV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	return epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(from, to).
 		Description("Transform profile.biography -> profile.bio").
 		// Target ONLY Profile types (response and request)
@@ -854,7 +882,7 @@ func createProfileV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange
 }
 
 // createSkillV1ToV2Migration handles nested Skill array item transformations
-func createSkillV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createSkillV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	return epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(from, to).
 		Description("Transform skills[].skill_name -> skills[].name, add level").
 		// Target ONLY Skill types (response and request)
@@ -871,7 +899,7 @@ func createSkillV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
 }
 
 // createProfileSettingsV1ToV2Migration handles deeply nested Settings transformations
-func createProfileSettingsV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createProfileSettingsV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	return epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(from, to).
 		Description("Transform settings.color_theme -> settings.theme").
 		// Target ONLY ProfileSettings types (response and request)
@@ -886,7 +914,7 @@ func createProfileSettingsV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.Versio
 }
 
 // createUserV2ToV3Migration defines the migration from v2 to v3
-func createUserV2ToV3Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createUserV2ToV3Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	return epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(from, to).
 		Description("Rename name to full_name, add phone").
 		// Only target top-level user types
@@ -905,7 +933,7 @@ func createUserV2ToV3Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
 
 // createProductV2ToV3Migration defines the migration from v2 to v3 for products
 // This uses the NEW flow-based API with only 2 directions
-func createProductV2ToV3Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createProductV2ToV3Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	return epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(from, to).
 		Description("Add description and currency to Product").
 		// TYPE-BASED ROUTING: Target all Product-related request/response types
@@ -924,7 +952,7 @@ func createProductV2ToV3Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange
 // createExampleV1ToV2Migration
 // This migration affects the ExampleItem structs inside the Examples array
 // Also demonstrates 2-level nested array transformation (examples[].sub_items[])
-func createExampleV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createExampleV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	return epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(from, to).
 		Description("Rename name to title in nested array items, add category field, transform sub_items").
 		// TYPE-BASED ROUTING: Target the container, nested item types, and sub-item types
@@ -938,7 +966,7 @@ func createExampleV1ToV2Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange
 }
 
 // createExampleV2ToV3Migration
-func createExampleV2ToV3Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createExampleV2ToV3Migration(from, to *epoch.Version) (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	return epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(from, to).
 		Description("Rename title to display_name in nested array items, add priority field, rename updated_at to last_updated in metadata").
 		// TYPE-BASED ROUTING: Target the container, nested item response, metadata response, and sub-item types
diff --git a/examples/basic/main.go b/examples/basic/main.go
index c551816..0edce7c 100644
--- a/examples/basic/main.go
+++ b/examples/basic/main.go
@@ -30,10 +30,15 @@ func main() {
 	fmt.Println("")
 
 	// Build Epoch instance with automatic cycle detection
+	v1ToV2Change, err := createV1ToV2Change()
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to build version change: %v", err))
+	}
+
 	epochInstance, err := epoch.NewEpoch().
 		WithSemverVersions("1.0.0", "2.0.0").
 		WithHeadVersion().
-		WithChanges(createV1ToV2Change()).
+		WithChanges(v1ToV2Change).
 		Build()
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -79,7 +84,7 @@ func main() {
 // This uses the NEW flow-based API with only 2 directions (matching actual flow):
 //  1. RequestToNextVersion: Client→HEAD (ONLY direction requests flow)
 //  2. ResponseToPreviousVersion: HEAD→Client (ONLY direction responses flow)
-func createV1ToV2Change() *epoch.VersionChange {
+func createV1ToV2Change() (*epoch.VersionChange, error) {
 	v1, _ := epoch.NewSemverVersion("1.0.0")
 	v2, _ := epoch.NewSemverVersion("2.0.0")
 
diff --git a/examples/schema-generation/main.go b/examples/schema-generation/main.go
index 35194c9..e34fddf 100644
--- a/examples/schema-generation/main.go
+++ b/examples/schema-generation/main.go
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ func main() {
 	// HEAD has these fields, v1 doesn't, so:
 	// - Response: Remove them when sending to v1 (ResponseToPreviousVersion)
 	// - Request: Add them when v1 client sends request (RequestToNextVersion)
-	v1ToV2 := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+	v1ToV2, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 		Description("Add email and status fields to User").
 		ForType(CreateUserRequest{}).
 		RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -477,12 +477,15 @@ func main() {
 		RemoveField("email").
 		RemoveField("status").
 		Build()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to build v1ToV2 migration: %v", err)
+	}
 
 	// v2→v3: Rename name to full_name, add phone
 	// HEAD has full_name and phone, v2 has name (no phone), so:
 	// - Response: Rename full_name→name, remove phone when sending to v2
 	// - Request: Rename name→full_name, add phone when v2 client sends request
-	v2ToV3 := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
+	v2ToV3, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v2, v3).
 		Description("Rename name to full_name, add phone").
 		ForType(CreateUserRequest{}).
 		RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -493,13 +496,16 @@ func main() {
 		RenameField("full_name", "name").
 		RemoveField("phone").
 		Build()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to build v2ToV3 migration: %v", err)
+	}
 
 	// ============================================================================
 	// NESTED TYPE MIGRATIONS (separate migrations for each nested type)
 	// ============================================================================
 
 	// Profile migration: bio ↔ biography
-	profileV1ToV2 := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+	profileV1ToV2, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 		Description("Transform profile.biography -> profile.bio").
 		ForType(UserProfile{}, ProfileRequest{}).
 		RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -507,9 +513,12 @@ func main() {
 		ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 		RenameField("bio", "biography").
 		Build()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to build profileV1ToV2 migration: %v", err)
+	}
 
 	// Skill migration: name ↔ skill_name, add/remove level
-	skillV1ToV2 := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+	skillV1ToV2, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 		Description("Transform skills[].skill_name -> skills[].name, add level").
 		ForType(Skill{}, SkillRequest{}).
 		RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -519,9 +528,12 @@ func main() {
 		RenameField("name", "skill_name").
 		RemoveField("level").
 		Build()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to build skillV1ToV2 migration: %v", err)
+	}
 
 	// ProfileSettings migration: theme ↔ color_theme
-	settingsV1ToV2 := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
+	settingsV1ToV2, err := epoch.NewVersionChangeBuilder(v1, v2).
 		Description("Transform settings.color_theme -> settings.theme").
 		ForType(ProfileSettings{}, ProfileSettingsRequest{}).
 		RequestToNextVersion().
@@ -529,6 +541,9 @@ func main() {
 		ResponseToPreviousVersion().
 		RenameField("theme", "color_theme").
 		Build()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to build settingsV1ToV2 migration: %v", err)
+	}
 
 	// Create Epoch instance with all types and migrations
 	epochInstance, err := epoch.NewEpoch().