Say what state each failed step left behind

await api.delete(old.id);
try {
  await api.create(next);
} catch (err) {
  try { await api.create(old); }                  // restore from the copy we read first
  catch { throw new Error(`Lost ${old.type} ${old.name} -> ${old.target}; recreate it`); }
  throw err;                                       // the original reason still wins
}
try { await api.publish(zone); }
catch { throw new Error("Saved, not yet published; do not redo it"); }