Revert "Metadata handling rewrite"

45 files changed, 492 insertions, 512 deletions

diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/authority_not_supported.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/authority_not_supported.c
index 40d217e619..705970f6ca 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/authority_not_supported.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/authority_not_supported.c
@@ -103,14 +103,9 @@ static void test_with_authority_header(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_byte_buffer *request_payload =
       grpc_raw_byte_buffer_create(&request_payload_slice, 1);
   gpr_timespec deadline = five_seconds_time();
-  grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {{grpc_slice_from_static_string("key1"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val1"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-                             {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key2"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val2"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
+  grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {
+      {"key1", "val1", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
+      {"key2", "val2", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
   grpc_end2end_test_fixture f =
       begin_test(config, "test_with_authority_header", NULL, NULL);
   cq_verifier *cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
@@ -121,12 +116,11 @@ static void test_with_authority_header(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload_recv = NULL;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("foo.test.google.fr");
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-                               grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
-                               deadline, NULL);
+                               "/foo", "foo.test.google.fr", deadline, NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&initial_metadata_recv);
@@ -163,6 +157,7 @@ static void test_with_authority_header(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -174,7 +169,7 @@ static void test_with_authority_header(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_CANCELLED);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/bad_hostname.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/bad_hostname.c
index f18abc78f0..e0c7ac7c02 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/bad_hostname.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/bad_hostname.c
@@ -109,12 +109,11 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_fixture f) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("slartibartfast.local");
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-                               grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
-                               deadline, NULL);
+                               "/foo", "slartibartfast.local", deadline, NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&initial_metadata_recv);
@@ -142,6 +141,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_fixture f) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_fixture f) {
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/binary_metadata.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/binary_metadata.c
index 004cc9e2af..dd7a8a9ad3 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/binary_metadata.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/binary_metadata.c
@@ -110,25 +110,25 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
       grpc_raw_byte_buffer_create(&response_payload_slice, 1);
   gpr_timespec deadline = five_seconds_time();
   grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {
-      {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key1-bin"),
-       grpc_slice_from_static_string(
-           "\xc0\xc1\xc2\xc3\xc4\xc5\xc6\xc7\xc8\xc9\xca\xcb\xcc"),
+      {"key1-bin",
+       "\xc0\xc1\xc2\xc3\xc4\xc5\xc6\xc7\xc8\xc9\xca\xcb\xcc",
+       13,
        0,
        {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-      {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key2-bin"),
-       grpc_slice_from_static_string(
-           "\x10\x11\x12\x13\x14\x15\x16\x17\x18\x19\x1a\x1b\x1c\x1d"),
+      {"key2-bin",
+       "\x10\x11\x12\x13\x14\x15\x16\x17\x18\x19\x1a\x1b\x1c\x1d",
+       14,
        0,
        {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
   grpc_metadata meta_s[2] = {
-      {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key3-bin"),
-       grpc_slice_from_static_string(
-           "\xe0\xe1\xe2\xe3\xe4\xe5\xe6\xe7\xe8\xe9\xea\xeb\xec\xed\xee"),
+      {"key3-bin",
+       "\xe0\xe1\xe2\xe3\xe4\xe5\xe6\xe7\xe8\xe9\xea\xeb\xec\xed\xee",
+       15,
        0,
        {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-      {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key4-bin"),
-       grpc_slice_from_static_string(
-           "\xf0\xf1\xf2\xf3\xf4\xf5\xf6\xf7\xf8\xf9\xfa\xfb\xfc\xfd\xfe\xff"),
+      {"key4-bin",
+       "\xf0\xf1\xf2\xf3\xf4\xf5\xf6\xf7\xf8\xf9\xfa\xfb\xfc\xfd\xfe\xff",
+       16,
        0,
        {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
   grpc_end2end_test_fixture f = begin_test(
@@ -144,13 +144,13 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -190,6 +190,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -237,7 +238,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_string = grpc_slice_from_static_string(
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details =
       "\x01\x02\x03\x04\x05\x06\x07\x08\x09\x0a\x0b\x0c\x0d\x0e\x0f\x10\x11\x12"
       "\x13\x14\x15\x16\x17\x18\x19\x1a\x1b\x1c\x1d\x1e\x1f\x20\x21\x22\x23\x24"
       "\x25\x26\x27\x28\x29\x2a\x2b\x2c\x2d\x2e\x2f\x30\x31\x32\x33\x34\x35\x36"
@@ -252,8 +253,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
       "\xc7\xc8\xc9\xca\xcb\xcc\xcd\xce\xcf\xd0\xd1\xd2\xd3\xd4\xd5\xd6\xd7\xd8"
       "\xd9\xda\xdb\xdc\xdd\xde\xdf\xe0\xe1\xe2\xe3\xe4\xe5\xe6\xe7\xe8\xe9\xea"
       "\xeb\xec\xed\xee\xef\xf0\xf1\xf2\xf3\xf4\xf5\xf6\xf7\xf8\xf9\xfa\xfb\xfc"
-      "\xfd\xfe\xff");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_string;
+      "\xfd\xfe\xff";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -267,25 +267,24 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
   GPR_ASSERT(
       0 ==
-      grpc_slice_str_cmp(
-          details,
-          "\x01\x02\x03\x04\x05\x06\x07\x08\x09\x0a\x0b\x0c\x0d\x0e\x0f\x10"
-          "\x11\x12\x13\x14\x15\x16\x17\x18\x19\x1a\x1b\x1c\x1d\x1e\x1f\x20"
-          "\x21\x22\x23\x24\x25\x26\x27\x28\x29\x2a\x2b\x2c\x2d\x2e\x2f\x30"
-          "\x31\x32\x33\x34\x35\x36\x37\x38\x39\x3a\x3b\x3c\x3d\x3e\x3f\x40"
-          "\x41\x42\x43\x44\x45\x46\x47\x48\x49\x4a\x4b\x4c\x4d\x4e\x4f\x50"
-          "\x51\x52\x53\x54\x55\x56\x57\x58\x59\x5a\x5b\x5c\x5d\x5e\x5f\x60"
-          "\x61\x62\x63\x64\x65\x66\x67\x68\x69\x6a\x6b\x6c\x6d\x6e\x6f\x70"
-          "\x71\x72\x73\x74\x75\x76\x77\x78\x79\x7a\x7b\x7c\x7d\x7e\x7f\x80"
-          "\x81\x82\x83\x84\x85\x86\x87\x88\x89\x8a\x8b\x8c\x8d\x8e\x8f\x90"
-          "\x91\x92\x93\x94\x95\x96\x97\x98\x99\x9a\x9b\x9c\x9d\x9e\x9f\xa0"
-          "\xa1\xa2\xa3\xa4\xa5\xa6\xa7\xa8\xa9\xaa\xab\xac\xad\xae\xaf\xb0"
-          "\xb1\xb2\xb3\xb4\xb5\xb6\xb7\xb8\xb9\xba\xbb\xbc\xbd\xbe\xbf\xc0"
-          "\xc1\xc2\xc3\xc4\xc5\xc6\xc7\xc8\xc9\xca\xcb\xcc\xcd\xce\xcf\xd0"
-          "\xd1\xd2\xd3\xd4\xd5\xd6\xd7\xd8\xd9\xda\xdb\xdc\xdd\xde\xdf\xe0"
-          "\xe1\xe2\xe3\xe4\xe5\xe6\xe7\xe8\xe9\xea\xeb\xec\xed\xee\xef\xf0"
-          "\xf1\xf2\xf3\xf4\xf5\xf6\xf7\xf8\xf9\xfa\xfb\xfc\xfd\xfe\xff"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+      strcmp(details,
+             "\x01\x02\x03\x04\x05\x06\x07\x08\x09\x0a\x0b\x0c\x0d\x0e\x0f\x10"
+             "\x11\x12\x13\x14\x15\x16\x17\x18\x19\x1a\x1b\x1c\x1d\x1e\x1f\x20"
+             "\x21\x22\x23\x24\x25\x26\x27\x28\x29\x2a\x2b\x2c\x2d\x2e\x2f\x30"
+             "\x31\x32\x33\x34\x35\x36\x37\x38\x39\x3a\x3b\x3c\x3d\x3e\x3f\x40"
+             "\x41\x42\x43\x44\x45\x46\x47\x48\x49\x4a\x4b\x4c\x4d\x4e\x4f\x50"
+             "\x51\x52\x53\x54\x55\x56\x57\x58\x59\x5a\x5b\x5c\x5d\x5e\x5f\x60"
+             "\x61\x62\x63\x64\x65\x66\x67\x68\x69\x6a\x6b\x6c\x6d\x6e\x6f\x70"
+             "\x71\x72\x73\x74\x75\x76\x77\x78\x79\x7a\x7b\x7c\x7d\x7e\x7f\x80"
+             "\x81\x82\x83\x84\x85\x86\x87\x88\x89\x8a\x8b\x8c\x8d\x8e\x8f\x90"
+             "\x91\x92\x93\x94\x95\x96\x97\x98\x99\x9a\x9b\x9c\x9d\x9e\x9f\xa0"
+             "\xa1\xa2\xa3\xa4\xa5\xa6\xa7\xa8\xa9\xaa\xab\xac\xad\xae\xaf\xb0"
+             "\xb1\xb2\xb3\xb4\xb5\xb6\xb7\xb8\xb9\xba\xbb\xbc\xbd\xbe\xbf\xc0"
+             "\xc1\xc2\xc3\xc4\xc5\xc6\xc7\xc8\xc9\xca\xcb\xcc\xcd\xce\xcf\xd0"
+             "\xd1\xd2\xd3\xd4\xd5\xd6\xd7\xd8\xd9\xda\xdb\xdc\xdd\xde\xdf\xe0"
+             "\xe1\xe2\xe3\xe4\xe5\xe6\xe7\xe8\xe9\xea\xeb\xec\xed\xee\xef\xf0"
+             "\xf1\xf2\xf3\xf4\xf5\xf6\xf7\xf8\xf9\xfa\xfb\xfc\xfd\xfe\xff"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
@@ -304,7 +303,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
       &initial_metadata_recv, "key4-bin",
       "\xf0\xf1\xf2\xf3\xf4\xf5\xf6\xf7\xf8\xf9\xfa\xfb\xfc\xfd\xfe\xff"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/call_creds.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/call_creds.c
index ebc854606b..606938fff6 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/call_creds.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/call_creds.c
@@ -156,7 +156,8 @@ static void request_response_with_payload_and_call_creds(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
   grpc_call_credentials *creds = NULL;
   grpc_auth_context *s_auth_context = NULL;
@@ -166,9 +167,8 @@ static void request_response_with_payload_and_call_creds(
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
   creds = grpc_google_iam_credentials_create(iam_token, iam_selector, NULL);
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload_and_call_creds(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -283,8 +284,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload_and_call_creds(
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -296,8 +296,8 @@ static void request_response_with_payload_and_call_creds(
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload_and_call_creds(
       break;
   }
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
@@ -391,7 +391,8 @@ static void test_request_with_server_rejecting_client_creds(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload_recv = NULL;
   grpc_slice request_payload_slice =
       grpc_slice_from_copied_string("hello world");
@@ -403,9 +404,8 @@ static void test_request_with_server_rejecting_client_creds(
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -425,6 +425,7 @@ static void test_request_with_server_rejecting_client_creds(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -467,7 +468,7 @@ static void test_request_with_server_rejecting_client_creds(
 
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
 
   grpc_call_destroy(c);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_accept.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_accept.c
index a0bec34ec9..a8e310c683 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_accept.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_accept.c
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@
 #include <grpc/support/useful.h>
 
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/metadata.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/service_config.h"
 
@@ -119,7 +118,8 @@ static void test_cancel_after_accept(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   grpc_byte_buffer *request_payload_recv = NULL;
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload_recv = NULL;
   grpc_slice request_payload_slice =
@@ -154,9 +154,8 @@ static void test_cancel_after_accept(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verifier *cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/service/method"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/service/method",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -171,6 +170,7 @@ static void test_cancel_after_accept(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ static void test_cancel_after_accept(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload_recv);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
 
   grpc_call_destroy(c);
   grpc_call_destroy(s);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_client_done.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_client_done.c
index 63b8150cb6..7742f9d179 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_client_done.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_client_done.c
@@ -113,7 +113,8 @@ static void test_cancel_after_accept_and_writes_closed(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   grpc_byte_buffer *request_payload_recv = NULL;
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload_recv = NULL;
   grpc_slice request_payload_slice =
@@ -127,9 +128,8 @@ static void test_cancel_after_accept_and_writes_closed(
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ static void test_cancel_after_accept_and_writes_closed(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -223,7 +224,7 @@ static void test_cancel_after_accept_and_writes_closed(
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload_recv);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
 
   grpc_call_destroy(c);
   grpc_call_destroy(s);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_invoke.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_invoke.c
index 216c363760..c3c5418f20 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_invoke.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_after_invoke.c
@@ -113,7 +113,8 @@ static void test_cancel_after_invoke(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload_recv = NULL;
   grpc_slice request_payload_slice =
       grpc_slice_from_copied_string("hello world");
@@ -121,9 +122,8 @@ static void test_cancel_after_invoke(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
       grpc_raw_byte_buffer_create(&request_payload_slice, 1);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ static void test_cancel_after_invoke(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@ static void test_cancel_after_invoke(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
 
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
 
   grpc_call_destroy(c);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_before_invoke.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_before_invoke.c
index c198fd1713..d4842829c0 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_before_invoke.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_before_invoke.c
@@ -111,7 +111,8 @@ static void test_cancel_before_invoke(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload_recv = NULL;
   grpc_slice request_payload_slice =
       grpc_slice_from_copied_string("hello world");
@@ -119,9 +120,8 @@ static void test_cancel_before_invoke(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
       grpc_raw_byte_buffer_create(&request_payload_slice, 1);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ static void test_cancel_before_invoke(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -180,7 +181,7 @@ static void test_cancel_before_invoke(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
 
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
 
   grpc_call_destroy(c);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_in_a_vacuum.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_in_a_vacuum.c
index af919805c7..5be850b6ea 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_in_a_vacuum.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_in_a_vacuum.c
@@ -106,9 +106,8 @@ static void test_cancel_in_a_vacuum(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verifier *v_client = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_with_status.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_with_status.c
index 38f8c612d1..3aecaf7159 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_with_status.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/cancel_with_status.c
@@ -108,14 +108,14 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
   gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "test with %" PRIuPTR " ops", num_ops);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -155,9 +156,9 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/compressed_payload.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/compressed_payload.c
index 847bc1a8c9..d7efe7747b 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/compressed_payload.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/compressed_payload.c
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/call.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/call_test_only.h"
-#include "src/core/lib/transport/static_metadata.h"
 #include "test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.h"
 
 static void *tag(intptr_t t) { return (void *)t; }
@@ -126,7 +125,8 @@ static void request_for_disabled_algorithm(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
   cq_verifier *cqv;
   char str[1024];
@@ -151,9 +151,8 @@ static void request_for_disabled_algorithm(
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -192,6 +191,7 @@ static void request_for_disabled_algorithm(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -245,13 +245,13 @@ static void request_for_disabled_algorithm(
   gpr_asprintf(&expected_details, "Compression algorithm '%s' is disabled.",
                algo_name);
   /* and we expect a specific reason for it */
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, expected_details));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, expected_details));
   gpr_free(expected_details);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
@@ -305,7 +305,8 @@ static void request_with_payload_template(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
   cq_verifier *cqv;
   char request_str[1024];
@@ -330,9 +331,8 @@ static void request_with_payload_template(
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -362,6 +362,7 @@ static void request_with_payload_template(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -488,8 +489,7 @@ static void request_with_payload_template(
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -503,13 +503,13 @@ static void request_with_payload_template(
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
@@ -569,14 +569,17 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_compressed_payload_md_override(
   grpc_metadata gzip_compression_override;
   grpc_metadata identity_compression_override;
 
-  gzip_compression_override.key = GRPC_MDSTR_GRPC_INTERNAL_ENCODING_REQUEST;
-  gzip_compression_override.value = grpc_slice_from_static_string("gzip");
+  gzip_compression_override.key = GRPC_COMPRESSION_REQUEST_ALGORITHM_MD_KEY;
+  gzip_compression_override.value = "gzip";
+  gzip_compression_override.value_length =
+      strlen(gzip_compression_override.value);
   memset(&gzip_compression_override.internal_data, 0,
          sizeof(gzip_compression_override.internal_data));
 
-  identity_compression_override.key = GRPC_MDSTR_GRPC_INTERNAL_ENCODING_REQUEST;
-  identity_compression_override.value =
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("identity");
+  identity_compression_override.key = GRPC_COMPRESSION_REQUEST_ALGORITHM_MD_KEY;
+  identity_compression_override.value = "identity";
+  identity_compression_override.value_length =
+      strlen(identity_compression_override.value);
   memset(&identity_compression_override.internal_data, 0,
          sizeof(identity_compression_override.internal_data));
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/default_host.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/default_host.c
index 0c39957fa7..208e31697e 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/default_host.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/default_host.c
@@ -110,13 +110,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_fixture f) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
   char *peer;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-                               grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), NULL,
-                               deadline, NULL);
+                               "/foo", NULL, deadline, NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
   peer = grpc_call_get_peer(c);
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_fixture f) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -181,8 +182,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_fixture f) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -199,12 +199,12 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_fixture f) {
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_buf_start_eq(call_details.host, "localhost", 9));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strncmp(call_details.host, "localhost", 9));
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/disappearing_server.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/disappearing_server.c
index a01372144c..8ebf7e643e 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/disappearing_server.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/disappearing_server.c
@@ -93,13 +93,13 @@ static void do_request_and_shutdown_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f->client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f->cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f->client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f->cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ static void do_request_and_shutdown_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -155,8 +156,7 @@ static void do_request_and_shutdown_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -174,13 +174,13 @@ static void do_request_and_shutdown_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/empty_batch.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/empty_batch.c
index 1b420ad4cb..dc8e52a60f 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/empty_batch.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/empty_batch.c
@@ -106,9 +106,8 @@ static void empty_batch_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_op *op = NULL;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_call_init_fails.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_call_init_fails.c
index e91c8aa54f..ac9d2dd2fe 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_call_init_fails.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_call_init_fails.c
@@ -125,12 +125,12 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -180,9 +181,9 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_PERMISSION_DENIED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "access denied"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "access denied"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_causes_close.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_causes_close.c
index a1f7d1b6a7..45f623c5c7 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_causes_close.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_causes_close.c
@@ -121,12 +121,12 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -176,10 +177,9 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_PERMISSION_DENIED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 ==
-             grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "Failure that's not preventable."));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "Failure that's not preventable."));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
@@ -208,12 +208,18 @@ static void recv_im_ready(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
                           grpc_error *error) {
   grpc_call_element *elem = arg;
   call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
+  if (error == GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
+    // close the stream with an error.
+    grpc_slice message =
+        grpc_slice_from_copied_string("Failure that's not preventable.");
+    grpc_transport_stream_op *op = grpc_make_transport_stream_op(NULL);
+    grpc_transport_stream_op_add_close(exec_ctx, op,
+                                       GRPC_STATUS_PERMISSION_DENIED, &message);
+    grpc_call_next_op(exec_ctx, elem, op);
+  }
   grpc_closure_sched(
       exec_ctx, calld->recv_im_ready,
-      grpc_error_set_int(GRPC_ERROR_CREATE_REFERENCING(
-                             "Failure that's not preventable.", &error, 1),
-                         GRPC_ERROR_INT_GRPC_STATUS,
-                         GRPC_STATUS_PERMISSION_DENIED));
+      GRPC_ERROR_CREATE_REFERENCING("Forced call to close", &error, 1));
 }
 
 static void start_transport_stream_op(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_latency.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_latency.c
index 7f37c46137..dbb5c8dcd9 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_latency.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_latency.c
@@ -128,7 +128,8 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   gpr_mu_lock(&g_mu);
@@ -137,10 +138,8 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   gpr_mu_unlock(&g_mu);
   const gpr_timespec start_time = gpr_now(GPR_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
 
-  c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr", config), deadline, NULL);
+  c = grpc_channel_create_call(f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
+                               "/foo", "foo.test.google.fr", deadline, NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&initial_metadata_recv);
@@ -174,6 +173,7 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -198,8 +198,7 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_string = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_string;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -216,9 +215,9 @@ static void test_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/graceful_server_shutdown.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/graceful_server_shutdown.c
index 08af25dd28..5fecadbe44 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/graceful_server_shutdown.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/graceful_server_shutdown.c
@@ -107,13 +107,13 @@ static void test_early_server_shutdown_finishes_inflight_calls(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ static void test_early_server_shutdown_finishes_inflight_calls(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -170,8 +171,7 @@ static void test_early_server_shutdown_finishes_inflight_calls(
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -191,12 +191,12 @@ static void test_early_server_shutdown_finishes_inflight_calls(
   grpc_call_destroy(s);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/high_initial_seqno.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/high_initial_seqno.c
index 217ca2bb72..01a4909ccd 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/high_initial_seqno.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/high_initial_seqno.c
@@ -113,13 +113,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -171,8 +172,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -189,13 +189,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/hpack_size.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/hpack_size.c
index 9aedc9c143..cec8b2faae 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/hpack_size.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/hpack_size.c
@@ -254,24 +254,24 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
   grpc_metadata extra_metadata[3];
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   memset(extra_metadata, 0, sizeof(extra_metadata));
-  extra_metadata[0].key = grpc_slice_from_static_string("hobbit-first-name");
-  extra_metadata[0].value = grpc_slice_from_static_string(
-      hobbits[index % GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(hobbits)][0]);
-  extra_metadata[1].key = grpc_slice_from_static_string("hobbit-second-name");
-  extra_metadata[1].value = grpc_slice_from_static_string(
-      hobbits[index % GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(hobbits)][1]);
-  extra_metadata[2].key = grpc_slice_from_static_string("dragon");
-  extra_metadata[2].value =
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string(dragons[index % GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(dragons)]);
+  extra_metadata[0].key = "hobbit-first-name";
+  extra_metadata[0].value = hobbits[index % GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(hobbits)][0];
+  extra_metadata[0].value_length = strlen(extra_metadata[0].value);
+  extra_metadata[1].key = "hobbit-second-name";
+  extra_metadata[1].value = hobbits[index % GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(hobbits)][1];
+  extra_metadata[1].value_length = strlen(extra_metadata[1].value);
+  extra_metadata[2].key = "dragon";
+  extra_metadata[2].value = dragons[index % GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(dragons)];
+  extra_metadata[2].value_length = strlen(extra_metadata[2].value);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -301,6 +301,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -324,8 +325,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -342,13 +342,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/idempotent_request.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/idempotent_request.c
index 2db7accaaa..4f6d3bb808 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/idempotent_request.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/idempotent_request.c
@@ -111,14 +111,14 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
   char *peer;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -152,6 +152,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -184,8 +185,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -202,14 +202,14 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_INITIAL_METADATA_IDEMPOTENT_REQUEST == call_details.flags);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/invoke_large_request.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/invoke_large_request.c
index e18953a641..24abfa2ea0 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/invoke_large_request.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/invoke_large_request.c
@@ -140,13 +140,13 @@ static void test_invoke_large_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ static void test_invoke_large_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -231,8 +232,7 @@ static void test_invoke_large_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -244,13 +244,13 @@ static void test_invoke_large_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/large_metadata.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/large_metadata.c
index b45ceb2664..69b4b24b06 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/large_metadata.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/large_metadata.c
@@ -122,19 +122,21 @@ static void test_request_with_large_metadata(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
-  meta.key = grpc_slice_from_static_string("key");
-  meta.value = grpc_slice_malloc(large_size);
-  memset(GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(meta.value), 'a', large_size);
+  meta.key = "key";
+  meta.value = gpr_malloc(large_size + 1);
+  memset((char *)meta.value, 'a', large_size);
+  ((char *)meta.value)[large_size] = 0;
+  meta.value_length = large_size;
 
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&trailing_metadata_recv);
@@ -168,6 +170,7 @@ static void test_request_with_large_metadata(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -213,8 +216,7 @@ static void test_request_with_large_metadata(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -226,17 +228,15 @@ static void test_request_with_large_metadata(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
   GPR_ASSERT(byte_buffer_eq_string(request_payload_recv, "hello world"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(contains_metadata_slices(&request_metadata_recv,
-                                      grpc_slice_from_static_string("key"),
-                                      meta.value));
+  GPR_ASSERT(contains_metadata(&request_metadata_recv, "key", meta.value));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ static void test_request_with_large_metadata(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload_recv);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(meta.value);
+  gpr_free((char *)meta.value);
 
   end_test(&f);
   config.tear_down_data(&f);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/load_reporting_hook.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/load_reporting_hook.c
index edc4251119..ae5c270629 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/load_reporting_hook.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/load_reporting_hook.c
@@ -146,13 +146,13 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string(method_name),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, method_name,
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -193,6 +193,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -241,8 +242,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 1;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata = trailing_lr_metadata;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
@@ -295,13 +295,15 @@ static void test_load_reporting_hook(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_metadata initial_lr_metadata;
   grpc_metadata trailing_lr_metadata;
 
-  initial_lr_metadata.key = GRPC_MDSTR_LB_TOKEN;
-  initial_lr_metadata.value = grpc_slice_from_static_string("client-token");
+  initial_lr_metadata.key = GRPC_LB_TOKEN_MD_KEY;
+  initial_lr_metadata.value = "client-token";
+  initial_lr_metadata.value_length = strlen(initial_lr_metadata.value);
   memset(&initial_lr_metadata.internal_data, 0,
          sizeof(initial_lr_metadata.internal_data));
 
-  trailing_lr_metadata.key = GRPC_MDSTR_LB_COST_BIN;
-  trailing_lr_metadata.value = grpc_slice_from_static_string("server-token");
+  trailing_lr_metadata.key = GRPC_LB_COST_MD_KEY;
+  trailing_lr_metadata.value = "server-token";
+  trailing_lr_metadata.value_length = strlen(trailing_lr_metadata.value);
   memset(&trailing_lr_metadata.internal_data, 0,
          sizeof(trailing_lr_metadata.internal_data));
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/max_concurrent_streams.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/max_concurrent_streams.c
index b34ea40f1b..9338bc5f0d 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/max_concurrent_streams.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/max_concurrent_streams.c
@@ -109,13 +109,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -167,8 +168,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -185,13 +185,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
@@ -223,9 +223,11 @@ static void test_max_concurrent_streams(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv2;
   grpc_status_code status1;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details1;
+  char *details1 = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity1 = 0;
   grpc_status_code status2;
-  grpc_slice details2;
+  char *details2 = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity2 = 0;
   grpc_op ops[6];
   grpc_op *op;
   int was_cancelled;
@@ -259,15 +261,13 @@ static void test_max_concurrent_streams(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
      the first completes */
   deadline = n_seconds_time(1000);
   c1 = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/alpha"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/alpha",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c1);
   c2 = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/beta"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/beta",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c2);
 
@@ -295,6 +295,7 @@ static void test_max_concurrent_streams(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv1;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status1;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details1;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity1;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -326,6 +327,7 @@ static void test_max_concurrent_streams(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv2;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status2;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details2;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity2;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -376,8 +378,7 @@ static void test_max_concurrent_streams(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -391,8 +392,6 @@ static void test_max_concurrent_streams(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(live_call + 1), 1);
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
-  grpc_call_details_destroy(&call_details);
-
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == grpc_server_request_call(
                                  f.server, &s2, &call_details,
                                  &request_metadata_recv, f.cq, f.cq, tag(201)));
@@ -414,7 +413,7 @@ static void test_max_concurrent_streams(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -432,8 +431,8 @@ static void test_max_concurrent_streams(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_destroy(c2);
   grpc_call_destroy(s2);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details1);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details2);
+  gpr_free(details1);
+  gpr_free(details2);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv1);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv1);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv2);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/max_message_length.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/max_message_length.c
index 4140df9aad..4a6ef44bb3 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/max_message_length.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/max_message_length.c
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@
 #include <grpc/support/useful.h>
 
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/metadata.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/service_config.h"
 
@@ -130,7 +129,8 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   grpc_channel_args *client_args = NULL;
@@ -178,9 +178,8 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/service/method"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config),
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/service/method",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config),
       gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -214,6 +213,7 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -252,20 +252,19 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_request(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(1), 1);
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/service/method"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/service/method"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
 done:
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_INVALID_ARGUMENT);
-  GPR_ASSERT(
-      grpc_slice_str_cmp(
-          details, send_limit
-                       ? "Sent message larger than max (11 vs. 5)"
-                       : "Received message larger than max (11 vs. 5)") == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(strcmp(details,
+                    send_limit
+                        ? "Sent message larger than max (11 vs. 5)"
+                        : "Received message larger than max (11 vs. 5)") == 0);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
@@ -308,7 +307,8 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_response(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   grpc_channel_args *client_args = NULL;
@@ -354,11 +354,9 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_response(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   }
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
-  c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/service/method"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config),
-      gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
+  c = grpc_channel_create_call(f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
+                               "/service/method", "foo.test.google.fr:1234",
+                               gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&initial_metadata_recv);
@@ -391,6 +389,7 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_response(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -424,8 +423,7 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_response(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -436,18 +434,16 @@ static void test_max_message_length_on_response(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(1), 1);
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/service/method"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 ==
-             grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.host, "foo.test.google.fr:1234"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/service/method"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.host, "foo.test.google.fr:1234"));
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_INVALID_ARGUMENT);
-  GPR_ASSERT(
-      grpc_slice_str_cmp(
-          details, send_limit
-                       ? "Sent message larger than max (11 vs. 5)"
-                       : "Received message larger than max (11 vs. 5)") == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(strcmp(details,
+                    send_limit
+                        ? "Sent message larger than max (11 vs. 5)"
+                        : "Received message larger than max (11 vs. 5)") == 0);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/negative_deadline.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/negative_deadline.c
index 403386b5e7..929777d39e 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/negative_deadline.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/negative_deadline.c
@@ -108,14 +108,14 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
   gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "test with %" PRIuPTR " ops", num_ops);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -154,7 +155,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_DEADLINE_EXCEEDED);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/network_status_change.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/network_status_change.c
index 6cfeaa851a..2ebda2ccb8 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/network_status_change.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/network_status_change.c
@@ -119,13 +119,13 @@ static void test_invoke_network_status_change(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ static void test_invoke_network_status_change(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -200,8 +201,7 @@ static void test_invoke_network_status_change(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -214,11 +214,11 @@ static void test_invoke_network_status_change(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
 
   // Expected behavior of a RPC when network is lost.
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNAVAILABLE);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/no_logging.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/no_logging.c
index 5c22631bad..54614cb029 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/no_logging.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/no_logging.c
@@ -139,14 +139,14 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
   char *peer;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -209,8 +210,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -227,14 +227,14 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(0 == call_details.flags);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/payload.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/payload.c
index af0c819e38..4a88c5f2a8 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/payload.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/payload.c
@@ -138,13 +138,13 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -229,8 +230,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -242,8 +242,8 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ static void request_response_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   GPR_ASSERT(
       byte_buffer_eq_slice(response_payload_recv, response_payload_slice));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/ping_pong_streaming.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/ping_pong_streaming.c
index b69b7f27a6..0a1566e9c2 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/ping_pong_streaming.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/ping_pong_streaming.c
@@ -112,7 +112,8 @@ static void test_pingpong_streaming(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
   grpc_byte_buffer *request_payload;
   grpc_byte_buffer *request_payload_recv;
@@ -125,9 +126,8 @@ static void test_pingpong_streaming(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
       grpc_slice_from_copied_string("hello you");
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -152,6 +152,7 @@ static void test_pingpong_streaming(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -247,8 +248,7 @@ static void test_pingpong_streaming(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ static void test_pingpong_streaming(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&call_details);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
 
   end_test(&f);
   config.tear_down_data(&f);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/registered_call.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/registered_call.c
index e0716737a3..6594b420b9 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/registered_call.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/registered_call.c
@@ -111,7 +111,8 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_registered_call(
@@ -143,6 +144,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -166,8 +168,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -184,13 +185,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/request_with_flags.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/request_with_flags.c
index 1328a7e891..9c18e155f3 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/request_with_flags.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/request_with_flags.c
@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_flags(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   grpc_call_error expectation;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_flags(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = flags_for_op[op->op];
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -167,9 +168,9 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_flags(
   if (expectation == GRPC_CALL_OK) {
     CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(1), 1);
     cq_verify(cqv);
-    grpc_slice_unref(details);
   }
 
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/request_with_payload.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/request_with_payload.c
index 3258c0451b..c84e3ac5b5 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/request_with_payload.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/request_with_payload.c
@@ -116,13 +116,13 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -196,8 +197,7 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -209,14 +209,14 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
   GPR_ASSERT(byte_buffer_eq_string(request_payload_recv, "hello world"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/resource_quota_server.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/resource_quota_server.c
index f65d60327c..c919faea89 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/resource_quota_server.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/resource_quota_server.c
@@ -149,7 +149,8 @@ void resource_quota_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details *call_details =
       malloc(sizeof(grpc_call_details) * NUM_CALLS);
   grpc_status_code *status = malloc(sizeof(grpc_status_code) * NUM_CALLS);
-  grpc_slice *details = malloc(sizeof(grpc_slice) * NUM_CALLS);
+  char **details = malloc(sizeof(char *) * NUM_CALLS);
+  size_t *details_capacity = malloc(sizeof(size_t) * NUM_CALLS);
   grpc_byte_buffer **request_payload_recv =
       malloc(sizeof(grpc_byte_buffer *) * NUM_CALLS);
   int *was_cancelled = malloc(sizeof(int) * NUM_CALLS);
@@ -172,6 +173,8 @@ void resource_quota_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
     grpc_metadata_array_init(&trailing_metadata_recv[i]);
     grpc_metadata_array_init(&request_metadata_recv[i]);
     grpc_call_details_init(&call_details[i]);
+    details[i] = NULL;
+    details_capacity[i] = 0;
     request_payload_recv[i] = NULL;
     was_cancelled[i] = 0;
   }
@@ -187,10 +190,8 @@ void resource_quota_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
 
   for (int i = 0; i < NUM_CALLS; i++) {
     client_calls[i] = grpc_channel_create_call(
-        f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-        grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-        get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr", config),
-        n_seconds_time(60), NULL);
+        f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+        "foo.test.google.fr", n_seconds_time(60), NULL);
 
     memset(ops, 0, sizeof(ops));
     op = ops;
@@ -218,6 +219,8 @@ void resource_quota_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
         &trailing_metadata_recv[i];
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status[i];
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details[i];
+    op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity =
+        &details_capacity[i];
     op->flags = 0;
     op->reserved = NULL;
     op++;
@@ -257,7 +260,7 @@ void resource_quota_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
       grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv[call_id]);
       grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv[call_id]);
       grpc_call_destroy(client_calls[call_id]);
-      grpc_slice_unref(details[call_id]);
+      gpr_free(details[call_id]);
 
       pending_client_calls--;
     } else if (ev_tag < SERVER_RECV_BASE_TAG) {
@@ -314,8 +317,7 @@ void resource_quota_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
       op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
       op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
       op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-      grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-      op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+      op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
       op->flags = 0;
       op->reserved = NULL;
       op++;
@@ -351,6 +353,10 @@ void resource_quota_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
    * the client has received it. This means that we should see strictly more
    * failures on the client than on the server. */
   GPR_ASSERT(cancelled_calls_on_client >= cancelled_calls_on_server);
+  /* However, we shouldn't see radically more... 0.9 is a guessed bound on what
+   * we'd want that ratio to be... to at least trigger some investigation should
+   * that ratio become much higher. */
+  GPR_ASSERT(cancelled_calls_on_server >= 0.9 * cancelled_calls_on_client);
 
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload);
   grpc_slice_unref(request_payload_slice);
@@ -364,6 +370,7 @@ void resource_quota_server(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   free(call_details);
   free(status);
   free(details);
+  free(details_capacity);
   free(request_payload_recv);
   free(was_cancelled);
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/server_finishes_request.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/server_finishes_request.c
index ee18c6817b..3bb25fd924 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/server_finishes_request.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/server_finishes_request.c
@@ -111,13 +111,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -165,8 +166,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -183,13 +183,13 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/shutdown_finishes_calls.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/shutdown_finishes_calls.c
index 0be5315360..b80a2e35f2 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/shutdown_finishes_calls.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/shutdown_finishes_calls.c
@@ -100,13 +100,13 @@ static void test_early_server_shutdown_finishes_inflight_calls(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ static void test_early_server_shutdown_finishes_inflight_calls(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -171,12 +172,12 @@ static void test_early_server_shutdown_finishes_inflight_calls(
   grpc_server_destroy(f.server);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNAVAILABLE);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_cacheable_request.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_cacheable_request.c
index ea916e7b3a..2c229b08fe 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_cacheable_request.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_cacheable_request.c
@@ -111,22 +111,12 @@ static void test_cacheable_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload =
       grpc_raw_byte_buffer_create(&response_payload_slice, 1);
   gpr_timespec deadline = five_seconds_time();
-  grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {{grpc_slice_from_static_string("key1"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val1"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-                             {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key2"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val2"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
-  grpc_metadata meta_s[2] = {{grpc_slice_from_static_string("key3"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val3"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-                             {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key4"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val4"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
+  grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {
+      {"key1", "val1", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
+      {"key2", "val2", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
+  grpc_metadata meta_s[2] = {
+      {"key3", "val3", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
+      {"key4", "val4", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
   grpc_end2end_test_fixture f = begin_test(
       config, "test_cacheable_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload", NULL,
       NULL);
@@ -141,13 +131,13 @@ static void test_cacheable_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -187,6 +177,7 @@ static void test_cacheable_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -234,8 +225,7 @@ static void test_cacheable_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -247,8 +237,8 @@ static void test_cacheable_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   if (config.feature_mask & FEATURE_MASK_SUPPORTS_REQUEST_PROXYING) {
@@ -264,7 +254,7 @@ static void test_cacheable_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   GPR_ASSERT(contains_metadata(&initial_metadata_recv, "key3", "val3"));
   GPR_ASSERT(contains_metadata(&initial_metadata_recv, "key4", "val4"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_delayed_request.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_delayed_request.c
index b0c98c51ab..414a03d98b 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_delayed_request.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_delayed_request.c
@@ -100,15 +100,15 @@ static void simple_delayed_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   config.init_client(f, client_args);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f->client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f->cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f->client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f->cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ static void simple_delayed_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -162,8 +163,7 @@ static void simple_delayed_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -180,13 +180,13 @@ static void simple_delayed_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_metadata.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_metadata.c
index 162c89c618..5490cc2b75 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_metadata.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_metadata.c
@@ -109,22 +109,12 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload =
       grpc_raw_byte_buffer_create(&response_payload_slice, 1);
   gpr_timespec deadline = five_seconds_time();
-  grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {{grpc_slice_from_static_string("key1"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val1"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-                             {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key2"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val2"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
-  grpc_metadata meta_s[2] = {{grpc_slice_from_static_string("key3"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val3"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-                             {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key4"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val4"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
+  grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {
+      {"key1", "val1", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
+      {"key2", "val2", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
+  grpc_metadata meta_s[2] = {
+      {"key3", "val3", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
+      {"key4", "val4", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
   grpc_end2end_test_fixture f = begin_test(
       config, "test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload", NULL, NULL);
   cq_verifier *cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
@@ -138,13 +128,13 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -184,6 +174,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -231,8 +222,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -244,8 +234,8 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
@@ -256,7 +246,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   GPR_ASSERT(contains_metadata(&initial_metadata_recv, "key3", "val3"));
   GPR_ASSERT(contains_metadata(&initial_metadata_recv, "key4", "val4"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_request.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_request.c
index e0a69826c4..2dea5d6af2 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_request.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/simple_request.c
@@ -111,14 +111,14 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
   char *peer;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -152,6 +152,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -184,8 +185,7 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -202,14 +202,14 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(0 == call_details.flags);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/streaming_error_response.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/streaming_error_response.c
index 05012523a7..583bc9268f 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/streaming_error_response.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/streaming_error_response.c
@@ -121,13 +121,13 @@ static void test(grpc_end2end_test_config config, bool request_status_early) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ static void test(grpc_end2end_test_config config, bool request_status_early) {
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+    op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
     op++;
   }
   error = grpc_call_start_batch(c, ops, (size_t)(op - ops), tag(1), NULL);
@@ -201,8 +202,7 @@ static void test(grpc_end2end_test_config config, bool request_status_early) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_FAILED_PRECONDITION;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op++;
   error = grpc_call_start_batch(s, ops, (size_t)(op - ops), tag(104), NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == error);
@@ -232,6 +232,7 @@ static void test(grpc_end2end_test_config config, bool request_status_early) {
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+    op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
     op++;
     error = grpc_call_start_batch(c, ops, (size_t)(op - ops), tag(3), NULL);
     GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == error);
@@ -244,13 +245,13 @@ static void test(grpc_end2end_test_config config, bool request_status_early) {
   }
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_FAILED_PRECONDITION);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/trailing_metadata.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/trailing_metadata.c
index b6741dbf3d..9fd4fbc052 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/trailing_metadata.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/trailing_metadata.c
@@ -109,30 +109,15 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload =
       grpc_raw_byte_buffer_create(&response_payload_slice, 1);
   gpr_timespec deadline = five_seconds_time();
-  grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {{grpc_slice_from_static_string("key1"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val1"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-                             {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key2"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val2"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
-  grpc_metadata meta_s[2] = {{grpc_slice_from_static_string("key3"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val3"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-                             {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key4"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val4"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
-  grpc_metadata meta_t[2] = {{grpc_slice_from_static_string("key5"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val5"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
-                             {grpc_slice_from_static_string("key6"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("val6"),
-                              0,
-                              {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
+  grpc_metadata meta_c[2] = {
+      {"key1", "val1", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
+      {"key2", "val2", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
+  grpc_metadata meta_s[2] = {
+      {"key3", "val3", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
+      {"key4", "val4", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
+  grpc_metadata meta_t[2] = {
+      {"key5", "val5", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}},
+      {"key6", "val6", 4, 0, {{NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL}}}};
   grpc_end2end_test_fixture f = begin_test(
       config, "test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload", NULL, NULL);
   cq_verifier *cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
@@ -146,13 +131,13 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -192,6 +177,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -240,8 +226,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 2;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata = meta_t;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -253,8 +238,8 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(byte_buffer_eq_string(request_payload_recv, "hello world"));
@@ -266,7 +251,7 @@ static void test_request_response_with_metadata_and_payload(
   GPR_ASSERT(contains_metadata(&trailing_metadata_recv, "key5", "val5"));
   GPR_ASSERT(contains_metadata(&trailing_metadata_recv, "key6", "val6"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/write_buffering.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/write_buffering.c
index fc175595a5..856e9f0306 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/write_buffering.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/write_buffering.c
@@ -120,13 +120,13 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details = grpc_empty_slice();
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -243,8 +244,7 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -256,15 +256,15 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
   GPR_ASSERT(byte_buffer_eq_string(request_payload_recv1, "hello world"));
   GPR_ASSERT(byte_buffer_eq_string(request_payload_recv2, "abc123"));
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/write_buffering_at_end.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/write_buffering_at_end.c
index 6b9a4c58f1..43aefcbdbc 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/write_buffering_at_end.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/write_buffering_at_end.c
@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   grpc_call_details call_details;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice details = grpc_empty_slice();
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"),
-      get_host_override_slice("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
+      f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq, "/foo",
+      get_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", config), deadline,
       NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = &trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = &details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -234,8 +235,7 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
-  grpc_slice status_details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &status_details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "xyz";
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -247,15 +247,15 @@ static void test_invoke_request_with_payload(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_OK);
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(details, "xyz"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   validate_host_override_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234", call_details.host,
                                 config);
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 0);
   GPR_ASSERT(byte_buffer_eq_string(request_payload_recv1, "hello world"));
   GPR_ASSERT(request_payload_recv2 == NULL);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);