Revert "Metadata handling rewrite"

97 files changed, 1078 insertions, 1341 deletions

diff --git a/test/core/bad_client/tests/large_metadata.c b/test/core/bad_client/tests/large_metadata.c
index f672776a9f..9c804e78c1 100644
--- a/test/core/bad_client/tests/large_metadata.c
+++ b/test/core/bad_client/tests/large_metadata.c
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ static void server_verifier(grpc_server *server, grpc_completion_queue *cq,
   CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(101), 1);
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.host, "localhost"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo/bar"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.host, "localhost"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo/bar"));
 
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&call_details);
@@ -153,14 +153,16 @@ static void server_verifier_sends_too_much_metadata(grpc_server *server,
   CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(101), 1);
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.host, "localhost"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo/bar"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.host, "localhost"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo/bar"));
 
   const size_t metadata_value_size = 16 * 1024;
   grpc_metadata meta;
-  meta.key = grpc_slice_from_static_string("key");
-  meta.value = grpc_slice_malloc(metadata_value_size);
-  memset(GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(meta.value), 'a', metadata_value_size);
+  meta.key = "key";
+  meta.value = gpr_malloc(metadata_value_size + 1);
+  memset((char *)meta.value, 'a', metadata_value_size);
+  ((char *)meta.value)[metadata_value_size] = 0;
+  meta.value_length = metadata_value_size;
 
   grpc_op op;
   memset(&op, 0, sizeof(op));
@@ -174,7 +176,7 @@ static void server_verifier_sends_too_much_metadata(grpc_server *server,
   CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(102), 0);  // Operation fails.
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(meta.value);
+  gpr_free((char *)meta.value);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&call_details);
   grpc_call_destroy(s);
@@ -188,26 +190,29 @@ static void client_validator(grpc_slice_buffer *incoming) {
   grpc_slice_buffer_trim_end(incoming, 13, &last_frame_buffer);
   GPR_ASSERT(last_frame_buffer.count == 1);
   grpc_slice last_frame = last_frame_buffer.slices[0];
-  const uint8_t *p = GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(last_frame);
-  // Length = 4
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 4);
-  // Frame type (RST_STREAM)
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 3);
-  // Flags
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
+  // Construct expected frame.
+  grpc_slice expected = grpc_slice_malloc(13);
+  uint8_t *p = GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(expected);
+  // Length.
+  *p++ = 0;
+  *p++ = 0;
+  *p++ = 4;
+  // Frame type (RST_STREAM).
+  *p++ = 3;
+  // Flags.
+  *p++ = 0;
   // Stream ID.
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 1);
-  // Payload (error code)
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p++ == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(*p == 0 || *p == 11);
-
+  *p++ = 0;
+  *p++ = 0;
+  *p++ = 0;
+  *p++ = 1;
+  // Payload (error code).
+  *p++ = 0;
+  *p++ = 0;
+  *p++ = 0;
+  *p++ = 11;
+  // Compare actual and expected.
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_cmp(last_frame, expected) == 0);
   grpc_slice_buffer_destroy(&last_frame_buffer);
 }
 
diff --git a/test/core/bad_client/tests/simple_request.c b/test/core/bad_client/tests/simple_request.c
index db31ba6fb3..c08aa40a0a 100644
--- a/test/core/bad_client/tests/simple_request.c
+++ b/test/core/bad_client/tests/simple_request.c
@@ -117,8 +117,8 @@ static void verifier(grpc_server *server, grpc_completion_queue *cq,
   CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(101), 1);
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.host, "localhost"));
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method, "/foo/bar"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.host, "localhost"));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo/bar"));
 
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&call_details);
diff --git a/test/core/bad_ssl/bad_ssl_test.c b/test/core/bad_ssl/bad_ssl_test.c
index 9cce77e71a..f8a9fe6cac 100644
--- a/test/core/bad_ssl/bad_ssl_test.c
+++ b/test/core/bad_ssl/bad_ssl_test.c
@@ -57,7 +57,8 @@ static void run_test(const char *target, size_t nops) {
 
   grpc_metadata_array initial_metadata_recv;
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
   gpr_timespec deadline = GRPC_TIMEOUT_SECONDS_TO_DEADLINE(5);
@@ -79,10 +80,9 @@ static void run_test(const char *target, size_t nops) {
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&trailing_metadata_recv);
 
   channel = grpc_secure_channel_create(ssl_creds, target, &args, NULL);
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234");
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-                               grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
-                               deadline, NULL);
+                               "/foo", "foo.test.google.fr:1234", deadline,
+                               NULL);
 
   memset(ops, 0, sizeof(ops));
   op = ops;
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ static void run_test(const char *target, size_t nops) {
   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++;
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ static void run_test(const char *target, size_t nops) {
   GPR_ASSERT(status != GRPC_STATUS_OK);
 
   grpc_call_destroy(c);
-  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/channel/channel_stack_test.c b/test/core/channel/channel_stack_test.c
index dd9c544524..080c56f134 100644
--- a/test/core/channel/channel_stack_test.c
+++ b/test/core/channel/channel_stack_test.c
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 #include <grpc/support/log.h>
 #include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
 
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "test/core/util/test_config.h"
 
 static grpc_error *channel_init_func(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
@@ -121,7 +120,7 @@ static void test_create_channel_stack(void) {
   int *channel_data;
   int *call_data;
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  grpc_slice path = grpc_slice_from_static_string("/service/method");
+  grpc_mdstr *path = grpc_mdstr_from_string("/service/method");
 
   arg.type = GRPC_ARG_INTEGER;
   arg.key = "test_key";
@@ -158,7 +157,7 @@ static void test_create_channel_stack(void) {
 
   GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_UNREF(&exec_ctx, channel_stack, "done");
 
-  grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, path);
+  GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, path);
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
 }
 
diff --git a/test/core/client_channel/lb_policies_test.c b/test/core/client_channel/lb_policies_test.c
index d7b1a785be..f46982a387 100644
--- a/test/core/client_channel/lb_policies_test.c
+++ b/test/core/client_channel/lb_policies_test.c
@@ -157,7 +157,8 @@ static void kill_server(const servers_fixture *f, size_t i) {
 typedef struct request_data {
   grpc_metadata_array initial_metadata_recv;
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details;
+  size_t details_capacity;
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_details *call_details;
 } request_data;
@@ -271,6 +272,8 @@ static request_sequences perform_request(servers_fixture *f,
 
   for (iter_num = 0; iter_num < spec->num_iters; iter_num++) {
     cq_verifier *cqv = cq_verifier_create(f->cq);
+    rdata->details = NULL;
+    rdata->details_capacity = 0;
     was_cancelled = 2;
 
     for (i = 0; i < f->num_servers; i++) {
@@ -291,9 +294,8 @@ static request_sequences perform_request(servers_fixture *f,
     }
     memset(s_valid, 0, f->num_servers * sizeof(int));
 
-    grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("foo.test.google.fr");
     c = grpc_channel_create_call(client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f->cq,
-                                 grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
+                                 "/foo", "foo.test.google.fr",
                                  gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
     GPR_ASSERT(c);
     completed_client = 0;
@@ -319,6 +321,8 @@ static request_sequences perform_request(servers_fixture *f,
         &rdata->trailing_metadata_recv;
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &rdata->status;
     op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &rdata->details;
+    op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity =
+        &rdata->details_capacity;
     op->flags = 0;
     op->reserved = NULL;
     op++;
@@ -361,8 +365,7 @@ static request_sequences perform_request(servers_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++;
@@ -381,12 +384,12 @@ static request_sequences perform_request(servers_fixture *f,
       }
       cq_verify(cqv);
 
+      gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "status=%d; %s", rdata->status, rdata->details);
       GPR_ASSERT(rdata->status == GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED);
-      GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(rdata->details, "xyz"));
+      GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(rdata->details, "xyz"));
+      GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(rdata->call_details[s_idx].method, "/foo"));
       GPR_ASSERT(0 ==
-                 grpc_slice_str_cmp(rdata->call_details[s_idx].method, "/foo"));
-      GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(rdata->call_details[s_idx].host,
-                                         "foo.test.google.fr"));
+                 strcmp(rdata->call_details[s_idx].host, "foo.test.google.fr"));
       GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
       grpc_call_destroy(f->server_calls[s_idx]);
@@ -419,7 +422,7 @@ static request_sequences perform_request(servers_fixture *f,
     for (i = 0; i < f->num_servers; i++) {
       grpc_call_details_destroy(&rdata->call_details[i]);
     }
-    grpc_slice_unref(rdata->details);
+    gpr_free(rdata->details);
   }
 
   gpr_free(s_valid);
@@ -451,12 +454,10 @@ static grpc_call **perform_multirequest(servers_fixture *f,
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
 
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("foo.test.google.fr");
   for (i = 0; i < concurrent_calls; i++) {
-    calls[i] =
-        grpc_channel_create_call(client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f->cq,
-                                 grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
-                                 gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
+    calls[i] = grpc_channel_create_call(
+        client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f->cq, "/foo",
+        "foo.test.google.fr", gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
     GPR_ASSERT(calls[i]);
     GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == grpc_call_start_batch(calls[i], ops,
                                                      (size_t)(op - ops), tag(1),
diff --git a/test/core/client_channel/set_initial_connect_string_test.c b/test/core/client_channel/set_initial_connect_string_test.c
index fc0aca0434..b78ba98e0a 100644
--- a/test/core/client_channel/set_initial_connect_string_test.c
+++ b/test/core/client_channel/set_initial_connect_string_test.c
@@ -141,11 +141,9 @@ static void start_rpc(int use_creds, int target_port) {
   } else {
     state.channel = grpc_insecure_channel_create(state.target, NULL, NULL);
   }
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("localhost");
   state.call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      state.channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, state.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Service/Method"), &host,
-      gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
+      state.channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, state.cq, "/Service/Method",
+      "localhost", gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
   memset(&state.op, 0, sizeof(state.op));
   state.op.op = GRPC_OP_SEND_INITIAL_METADATA;
   state.op.data.send_initial_metadata.count = 0;
@@ -209,7 +207,8 @@ static void match_initial_magic_string(grpc_slice_buffer *buffer) {
   size_t magic_length = strlen(magic_connect_string);
   GPR_ASSERT(buffer->length >= magic_length);
   for (i = 0, j = 0; i < state.incoming_buffer.count && j < magic_length; i++) {
-    char *dump = grpc_slice_to_c_string(state.incoming_buffer.slices[i]);
+    char *dump =
+        grpc_dump_slice(state.incoming_buffer.slices[i], GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     cmp_length = GPR_MIN(strlen(dump), magic_length - j);
     GPR_ASSERT(strncmp(dump, magic_connect_string + j, cmp_length) == 0);
     j += cmp_length;
diff --git a/test/core/compression/algorithm_test.c b/test/core/compression/algorithm_test.c
index 37397ced8d..ff17667b94 100644
--- a/test/core/compression/algorithm_test.c
+++ b/test/core/compression/algorithm_test.c
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@
 #include <grpc/support/log.h>
 #include <grpc/support/useful.h>
 
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/static_metadata.h"
 #include "test/core/util/test_config.h"
 
@@ -52,33 +51,32 @@ static void test_algorithm_mesh(void) {
   for (i = 0; i < GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT; i++) {
     char *name;
     grpc_compression_algorithm parsed;
-    grpc_slice mdstr;
-    grpc_mdelem mdelem;
+    grpc_mdstr *mdstr;
+    grpc_mdelem *mdelem;
     grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
     GPR_ASSERT(
         grpc_compression_algorithm_name((grpc_compression_algorithm)i, &name));
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_compression_algorithm_parse(
-        grpc_slice_from_static_string(name), &parsed));
+    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_compression_algorithm_parse(name, strlen(name), &parsed));
     GPR_ASSERT((int)parsed == i);
-    mdstr = grpc_slice_from_copied_string(name);
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(mdstr, grpc_compression_algorithm_slice(parsed)));
-    GPR_ASSERT(parsed == grpc_compression_algorithm_from_slice(mdstr));
+    mdstr = grpc_mdstr_from_string(name);
+    GPR_ASSERT(mdstr == grpc_compression_algorithm_mdstr(parsed));
+    GPR_ASSERT(parsed == grpc_compression_algorithm_from_mdstr(mdstr));
     mdelem = grpc_compression_encoding_mdelem(parsed);
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(GRPC_MDVALUE(mdelem), mdstr));
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(GRPC_MDKEY(mdelem), GRPC_MDSTR_GRPC_ENCODING));
-    grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, mdstr);
+    GPR_ASSERT(mdelem->value == mdstr);
+    GPR_ASSERT(mdelem->key == GRPC_MDSTR_GRPC_ENCODING);
+    GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, mdstr);
     GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, mdelem);
     grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   }
 
   /* test failure */
-  GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_MDISNULL(
-      grpc_compression_encoding_mdelem(GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT)));
+  GPR_ASSERT(NULL ==
+             grpc_compression_encoding_mdelem(GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT));
 }
 
 static void test_algorithm_failure(void) {
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  grpc_slice mdstr;
+  grpc_mdstr *mdstr;
 
   gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "test_algorithm_failure");
 
@@ -86,16 +84,14 @@ static void test_algorithm_failure(void) {
                                              NULL) == 0);
   GPR_ASSERT(grpc_compression_algorithm_name(GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT + 1,
                                              NULL) == 0);
-  mdstr = grpc_slice_from_static_string("this-is-an-invalid-algorithm");
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_compression_algorithm_from_slice(mdstr) ==
+  mdstr = grpc_mdstr_from_string("this-is-an-invalid-algorithm");
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_compression_algorithm_from_mdstr(mdstr) ==
              GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(
-      grpc_compression_algorithm_slice(GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT),
-      grpc_empty_slice()));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(
-      grpc_compression_algorithm_slice(GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT + 1),
-      grpc_empty_slice()));
-  grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, mdstr);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_compression_algorithm_mdstr(GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT) ==
+             NULL);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_compression_algorithm_mdstr(GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT +
+                                              1) == NULL);
+  GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, mdstr);
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
 }
 
diff --git a/test/core/compression/compression_test.c b/test/core/compression/compression_test.c
index 7b2e56dc01..4c43746e33 100644
--- a/test/core/compression/compression_test.c
+++ b/test/core/compression/compression_test.c
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ static void test_compression_algorithm_parse(void) {
     const char *valid_name = valid_names[i];
     grpc_compression_algorithm algorithm;
     const int success = grpc_compression_algorithm_parse(
-        grpc_slice_from_static_string(valid_name), &algorithm);
+        valid_name, strlen(valid_name), &algorithm);
     GPR_ASSERT(success != 0);
     GPR_ASSERT(algorithm == valid_algorithms[i]);
   }
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ static void test_compression_algorithm_parse(void) {
     grpc_compression_algorithm algorithm;
     int success;
     success = grpc_compression_algorithm_parse(
-        grpc_slice_from_static_string(invalid_name), &algorithm);
+        invalid_name, strlen(invalid_name), &algorithm);
     GPR_ASSERT(success == 0);
     /* the value of "algorithm" is undefined upon failure */
   }
diff --git a/test/core/compression/message_compress_test.c b/test/core/compression/message_compress_test.c
index 246a2b3a71..2432ca768a 100644
--- a/test/core/compression/message_compress_test.c
+++ b/test/core/compression/message_compress_test.c
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ static void assert_passthrough(grpc_slice value,
   }
 
   final = grpc_slice_merge(output.slices, output.count);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(value, final));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_cmp(value, final));
 
   grpc_slice_buffer_destroy(&input);
   grpc_slice_buffer_destroy(&compressed);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/bad_server_response_test.c b/test/core/end2end/bad_server_response_test.c
index 12db8a13f2..a052016883 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/bad_server_response_test.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/bad_server_response_test.c
@@ -172,17 +172,16 @@ static void start_rpc(int target_port, grpc_status_code expected_status,
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_call_error error;
   cq_verifier *cqv;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
   state.cq = grpc_completion_queue_create(NULL);
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(state.cq);
   gpr_join_host_port(&state.target, "127.0.0.1", target_port);
   state.channel = grpc_insecure_channel_create(state.target, NULL, NULL);
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("localhost");
   state.call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      state.channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, state.cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Service/Method"), &host,
-      gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
+      state.channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, state.cq, "/Service/Method",
+      "localhost", gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
 
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&trailing_metadata_recv);
@@ -207,6 +206,7 @@ static void start_rpc(int target_port, grpc_status_code expected_status,
   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++;
@@ -218,13 +218,13 @@ static void start_rpc(int target_port, grpc_status_code expected_status,
   CQ_EXPECT_COMPLETION(cqv, tag(1), 1);
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
+  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Rpc status: %d, details: %s", status, details);
   GPR_ASSERT(status == expected_status);
-  GPR_ASSERT(-1 != grpc_slice_slice(details, grpc_slice_from_static_string(
-                                                 expected_detail)));
+  GPR_ASSERT(NULL != strstr(details, expected_detail));
 
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   cq_verifier_destroy(cqv);
 }
 
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/connection_refused_test.c b/test/core/end2end/connection_refused_test.c
index 81a6b8720d..4430804360 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/connection_refused_test.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/connection_refused_test.c
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@
 #include <grpc/support/string_util.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"
 
@@ -60,7 +59,8 @@ static void run_test(bool wait_for_ready, bool use_service_config) {
   grpc_op *op;
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
   grpc_status_code status;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
   gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "TEST: wait_for_ready=%d use_service_config=%d",
           wait_for_ready, use_service_config);
@@ -97,10 +97,9 @@ static void run_test(bool wait_for_ready, bool use_service_config) {
   gpr_join_host_port(&addr, "127.0.0.1", port);
   gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "server: %s", addr);
   chan = grpc_insecure_channel_create(addr, args, NULL);
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("nonexistant");
-  call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/service/method"), &host, deadline, NULL);
+  call = grpc_channel_create_call(chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
+                                  "/service/method", "nonexistant", deadline,
+                                  NULL);
 
   gpr_free(addr);
 
@@ -117,6 +116,7 @@ static void run_test(bool wait_for_ready, bool use_service_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++;
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ static void run_test(bool wait_for_ready, bool use_service_config) {
   grpc_channel_destroy(chan);
   cq_verifier_destroy(cqv);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
 
   {
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.c b/test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.c
index bc2d5888f0..57373970c4 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.c
@@ -92,8 +92,8 @@ static int has_metadata(const grpc_metadata *md, size_t count, const char *key,
                         const char *value) {
   size_t i;
   for (i = 0; i < count; i++) {
-    if (0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(md[i].key, key) &&
-        0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(md[i].value, value)) {
+    if (0 == strcmp(key, md[i].key) && strlen(value) == md[i].value_length &&
+        0 == memcmp(md[i].value, value, md[i].value_length)) {
       return 1;
     }
   }
@@ -105,22 +105,6 @@ int contains_metadata(grpc_metadata_array *array, const char *key,
   return has_metadata(array->metadata, array->count, key, value);
 }
 
-static int has_metadata_slices(const grpc_metadata *md, size_t count,
-                               grpc_slice key, grpc_slice value) {
-  size_t i;
-  for (i = 0; i < count; i++) {
-    if (grpc_slice_eq(md[i].key, key) && grpc_slice_eq(md[i].value, value)) {
-      return 1;
-    }
-  }
-  return 0;
-}
-
-int contains_metadata_slices(grpc_metadata_array *array, grpc_slice key,
-                             grpc_slice value) {
-  return has_metadata_slices(array->metadata, array->count, key, value);
-}
-
 static grpc_slice merge_slices(grpc_slice *slices, size_t nslices) {
   size_t i;
   size_t len = 0;
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.h b/test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.h
index 035aa270e4..b754de9bbe 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.h
+++ b/test/core/end2end/cq_verifier.h
@@ -71,7 +71,5 @@ int byte_buffer_eq_slice(grpc_byte_buffer *bb, grpc_slice b);
 int byte_buffer_eq_string(grpc_byte_buffer *byte_buffer, const char *string);
 int contains_metadata(grpc_metadata_array *array, const char *key,
                       const char *value);
-int contains_metadata_slices(grpc_metadata_array *array, grpc_slice key,
-                             grpc_slice value);
 
 #endif /* GRPC_TEST_CORE_END2END_CQ_VERIFIER_H */
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/dualstack_socket_test.c b/test/core/end2end/dualstack_socket_test.c
index 9cd0707174..11e8604f56 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/dualstack_socket_test.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/dualstack_socket_test.c
@@ -88,7 +88,8 @@ void test_connect(const char *server_host, const char *client_host, int port,
   grpc_metadata_array request_metadata_recv;
   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_details call_details;
   char *peer;
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ void test_connect(const char *server_host, const char *client_host, int port,
     grpc_slice_split(uri_slice, ",", &uri_parts);
     hosts_with_port = gpr_malloc(sizeof(char *) * uri_parts.count);
     for (i = 0; i < uri_parts.count; i++) {
-      char *uri_part_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(uri_parts.slices[i]);
+      char *uri_part_str = grpc_dump_slice(uri_parts.slices[i], GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
       gpr_asprintf(&hosts_with_port[i], "%s:%d", uri_part_str, port);
       gpr_free(uri_part_str);
     }
@@ -167,10 +168,8 @@ void test_connect(const char *server_host, const char *client_host, int port,
   }
 
   /* Send a trivial request. */
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("foo.test.google.fr");
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-                               grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
-                               deadline, NULL);
+                               "/foo", "foo.test.google.fr", deadline, NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
   memset(ops, 0, sizeof(ops));
@@ -193,6 +192,7 @@ void test_connect(const char *server_host, const char *client_host, int port,
   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++;
@@ -216,8 +216,7 @@ void test_connect(const char *server_host, const char *client_host, int port,
     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++;
     op->op = GRPC_OP_RECV_CLOSE_ON_SERVER;
@@ -236,10 +235,9 @@ void test_connect(const char *server_host, const char *client_host, int port,
     gpr_free(peer);
 
     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 ==
-               grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.host, "foo.test.google.fr"));
+    GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(details, "xyz"));
+    GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
+    GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.host, "foo.test.google.fr"));
     GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
 
     grpc_call_destroy(s);
@@ -273,7 +271,7 @@ void test_connect(const char *server_host, const char *client_host, int port,
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
 
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&call_details);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   if (picked_port) {
     grpc_recycle_unused_port(port);
   }
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/end2end_test_utils.c b/test/core/end2end/end2end_test_utils.c
index 8783d8451b..46fb4ec1af 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/end2end_test_utils.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/end2end_test_utils.c
@@ -39,27 +39,13 @@
 
 const char *get_host_override_string(const char *str,
                                      grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
-  if (config.feature_mask & FEATURE_MASK_SUPPORTS_AUTHORITY_HEADER) {
-    return str;
-  } else {
-    return NULL;
-  }
-}
-
-const grpc_slice *get_host_override_slice(const char *str,
-                                          grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
-  const char *r = get_host_override_string(str, config);
-  if (r != NULL) {
-    static grpc_slice ret;
-    ret = grpc_slice_from_static_string(r);
-    return &ret;
-  }
-  return NULL;
+  return (config.feature_mask & FEATURE_MASK_SUPPORTS_AUTHORITY_HEADER ? str
+                                                                       : NULL);
 }
 
-void validate_host_override_string(const char *pattern, grpc_slice str,
+void validate_host_override_string(const char *pattern, const char *str,
                                    grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
   if (config.feature_mask & FEATURE_MASK_SUPPORTS_AUTHORITY_HEADER) {
-    GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(str, pattern));
+    GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(str, pattern));
   }
 }
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/end2end_tests.h b/test/core/end2end/end2end_tests.h
index cb0afd9cd9..f25e90b5f6 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/end2end_tests.h
+++ b/test/core/end2end/end2end_tests.h
@@ -72,12 +72,8 @@ void grpc_end2end_tests(int argc, char **argv, grpc_end2end_test_config config);
 
 const char *get_host_override_string(const char *str,
                                      grpc_end2end_test_config config);
-/* Returns a pointer to a statically allocated slice: future invocations
-   overwrite past invocations, not threadsafe, etc... */
-const grpc_slice *get_host_override_slice(const char *str,
-                                          grpc_end2end_test_config config);
 
-void validate_host_override_string(const char *pattern, grpc_slice str,
+void validate_host_override_string(const char *pattern, const char *str,
                                    grpc_end2end_test_config config);
 
 #endif /* GRPC_TEST_CORE_END2END_END2END_TESTS_H */
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fake_resolver.c b/test/core/end2end/fake_resolver.c
index 8e711c6b41..966642f403 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fake_resolver.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fake_resolver.c
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ static grpc_resolver* fake_resolver_create(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
   bool errors_found = false;
   for (size_t i = 0; i < addresses->num_addresses; i++) {
     grpc_uri ith_uri = *args->uri;
-    char* part_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(path_parts.slices[i]);
+    char* part_str = grpc_dump_slice(path_parts.slices[i], GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     ith_uri.path = part_str;
     if (!parse_ipv4(&ith_uri, &addresses->addresses[i].address)) {
       errors_found = true;
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/h2_oauth2.c b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/h2_oauth2.c
index 3351652858..83f759ce2d 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/h2_oauth2.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/h2_oauth2.c
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ static const grpc_metadata *find_metadata(const grpc_metadata *md,
                                           const char *value) {
   size_t i;
   for (i = 0; i < md_count; i++) {
-    if (grpc_slice_str_cmp(md[i].key, key) == 0 &&
-        grpc_slice_str_cmp(md[i].value, value) == 0) {
+    if (strcmp(key, md[i].key) == 0 && strlen(value) == md[i].value_length &&
+        memcmp(md[i].value, value, md[i].value_length) == 0) {
       return &md[i];
     }
   }
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ static void process_oauth2_success(void *state, grpc_auth_context *ctx,
                                    grpc_process_auth_metadata_done_cb cb,
                                    void *user_data) {
   const grpc_metadata *oauth2 =
-      find_metadata(md, md_count, "authorization", oauth2_md);
+      find_metadata(md, md_count, "Authorization", oauth2_md);
   test_processor_state *s;
 
   GPR_ASSERT(state != NULL);
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ static void process_oauth2_failure(void *state, grpc_auth_context *ctx,
                                    grpc_process_auth_metadata_done_cb cb,
                                    void *user_data) {
   const grpc_metadata *oauth2 =
-      find_metadata(md, md_count, "authorization", oauth2_md);
+      find_metadata(md, md_count, "Authorization", oauth2_md);
   test_processor_state *s;
   GPR_ASSERT(state != NULL);
   s = (test_processor_state *)state;
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ static void chttp2_init_client_simple_ssl_with_oauth2_secure_fullstack(
   grpc_channel_credentials *ssl_creds =
       grpc_ssl_credentials_create(test_root_cert, NULL, NULL);
   grpc_call_credentials *oauth2_creds =
-      grpc_md_only_test_credentials_create("authorization", oauth2_md, 1);
+      grpc_md_only_test_credentials_create("Authorization", oauth2_md, 1);
   grpc_channel_credentials *ssl_oauth2_creds =
       grpc_composite_channel_credentials_create(ssl_creds, oauth2_creds, NULL);
   grpc_arg ssl_name_override = {GRPC_ARG_STRING,
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/h2_ssl_cert.c b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/h2_ssl_cert.c
index 844e93396d..ae49cc859a 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/h2_ssl_cert.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/h2_ssl_cert.c
@@ -321,10 +321,9 @@ static void simple_request_body(grpc_end2end_test_fixture f,
   grpc_op *op;
   grpc_call_error error;
 
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("foo.test.google.fr:1234");
   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:1234", deadline,
+                               NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(c);
 
   memset(ops, 0, sizeof(ops));
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy.c b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy.c
index dac9baf3ce..b62082c6fb 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy.c
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ static void proxy_connection_failed(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
                                     const char* prefix, grpc_error* error) {
   const char* msg = grpc_error_string(error);
   gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "%s: %s", prefix, msg);
-
+  grpc_error_free_string(msg);
   grpc_endpoint_shutdown(exec_ctx, conn->client_endpoint);
   if (conn->server_endpoint != NULL)
     grpc_endpoint_shutdown(exec_ctx, conn->server_endpoint);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.c b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.c
index 30bb9ff1b3..beed80df81 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.c
@@ -80,7 +80,8 @@ typedef struct {
 
   grpc_metadata_array p2s_trailing_metadata;
   grpc_status_code p2s_status;
-  grpc_slice p2s_status_details;
+  char *p2s_status_details;
+  size_t p2s_status_details_capacity;
 
   int c2p_server_cancelled;
 } proxy_call;
@@ -111,7 +112,6 @@ grpc_end2end_proxy *grpc_end2end_proxy_create(const grpc_end2end_proxy_def *def,
   grpc_server_register_completion_queue(proxy->server, proxy->cq, NULL);
   grpc_server_start(proxy->server);
 
-  grpc_call_details_init(&proxy->new_call_details);
   gpr_thd_options_set_joinable(&opt);
   GPR_ASSERT(gpr_thd_new(&proxy->thd, thread_main, proxy, &opt));
 
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ static void unrefpc(proxy_call *pc, const char *reason) {
     grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&pc->c2p_initial_metadata);
     grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&pc->p2s_initial_metadata);
     grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&pc->p2s_trailing_metadata);
-    grpc_slice_unref(pc->p2s_status_details);
+    gpr_free(pc->p2s_status_details);
     gpr_free(pc);
   }
 }
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ static void on_p2s_status(void *arg, int success) {
     op.data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata =
         pc->p2s_trailing_metadata.metadata;
     op.data.send_status_from_server.status = pc->p2s_status;
-    op.data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &pc->p2s_status_details;
+    op.data.send_status_from_server.status_details = pc->p2s_status_details;
     refpc(pc, "on_c2p_sent_status");
     err = grpc_call_start_batch(pc->c2p, &op, 1,
                                 new_closure(on_c2p_sent_status, pc), NULL);
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ static void on_new_call(void *arg, int success) {
     pc->c2p = proxy->new_call;
     pc->p2s = grpc_channel_create_call(
         proxy->client, pc->c2p, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, proxy->cq,
-        proxy->new_call_details.method, &proxy->new_call_details.host,
+        proxy->new_call_details.method, proxy->new_call_details.host,
         proxy->new_call_details.deadline, NULL);
     gpr_ref_init(&pc->refs, 1);
 
@@ -384,6 +384,8 @@ static void on_new_call(void *arg, int success) {
         &pc->p2s_trailing_metadata;
     op.data.recv_status_on_client.status = &pc->p2s_status;
     op.data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &pc->p2s_status_details;
+    op.data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity =
+        &pc->p2s_status_details_capacity;
     refpc(pc, "on_p2s_status");
     err = grpc_call_start_batch(pc->p2s, &op, 1, new_closure(on_p2s_status, pc),
                                 NULL);
@@ -399,9 +401,6 @@ static void on_new_call(void *arg, int success) {
 
     request_call(proxy);
 
-    grpc_call_details_destroy(&proxy->new_call_details);
-    grpc_call_details_init(&proxy->new_call_details);
-
     unrefpc(pc, "init");
   } else {
     GPR_ASSERT(proxy->new_call == NULL);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/api_fuzzer.c b/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/api_fuzzer.c
index 30d814b01b..200a51858a 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/api_fuzzer.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/api_fuzzer.c
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/resolve_address.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_client.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/timer.h"
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/server.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/metadata.h"
 #include "test/core/end2end/data/ssl_test_data.h"
@@ -91,7 +90,7 @@ static uint8_t next_byte(input_stream *inp) {
 
 static void end(input_stream *inp) { inp->cur = inp->end; }
 
-static char *read_string(input_stream *inp, bool *special) {
+static char *read_string(input_stream *inp) {
   char *str = NULL;
   size_t cap = 0;
   size_t sz = 0;
@@ -103,56 +102,18 @@ static char *read_string(input_stream *inp, bool *special) {
     }
     c = (char)next_byte(inp);
     str[sz++] = c;
-  } while (c != 0 && c != 1);
-  if (special != NULL) {
-    *special = (c == 1);
-  }
-  if (c == 1) {
-    str[sz - 1] = 0;
-  }
+  } while (c != 0);
   return str;
 }
 
-static void read_buffer(input_stream *inp, char **buffer, size_t *length,
-                        bool *special) {
+static void read_buffer(input_stream *inp, char **buffer, size_t *length) {
   *length = next_byte(inp);
-  if (*length == 255) {
-    if (special != NULL) *special = true;
-    *length = next_byte(inp);
-  } else {
-    if (special != NULL) *special = false;
-  }
   *buffer = gpr_malloc(*length);
   for (size_t i = 0; i < *length; i++) {
     (*buffer)[i] = (char)next_byte(inp);
   }
 }
 
-static grpc_slice maybe_intern(grpc_slice s, bool intern) {
-  grpc_slice r = intern ? grpc_slice_intern(s) : grpc_slice_ref(s);
-  grpc_slice_unref(s);
-  return r;
-}
-
-static grpc_slice read_string_like_slice(input_stream *inp) {
-  bool special;
-  char *s = read_string(inp, &special);
-  grpc_slice r = maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_copied_string(s), special);
-  gpr_free(s);
-  return r;
-}
-
-static grpc_slice read_buffer_like_slice(input_stream *inp) {
-  char *buffer;
-  size_t length;
-  bool special;
-  read_buffer(inp, &buffer, &length, &special);
-  grpc_slice r =
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_copied_buffer(buffer, length), special);
-  gpr_free(buffer);
-  return r;
-}
-
 static uint32_t read_uint22(input_stream *inp) {
   uint8_t b = next_byte(inp);
   uint32_t x = b & 0x7f;
@@ -209,12 +170,12 @@ static grpc_channel_args *read_args(input_stream *inp) {
     switch (next_byte(inp)) {
       case 1:
         args[i].type = GRPC_ARG_STRING;
-        args[i].key = read_string(inp, NULL);
-        args[i].value.string = read_string(inp, NULL);
+        args[i].key = read_string(inp);
+        args[i].value.string = read_string(inp);
         break;
       case 2:
         args[i].type = GRPC_ARG_INTEGER;
-        args[i].key = read_string(inp, NULL);
+        args[i].key = read_string(inp);
         args[i].value.integer = read_int(inp);
         break;
       case 3:
@@ -256,7 +217,7 @@ static const char *read_cred_artifact(cred_artifact_ctx *ctx, input_stream *inp,
                                       size_t num_builtins) {
   uint8_t b = next_byte(inp);
   if (b == 0) return NULL;
-  if (b == 1) return ctx->release[ctx->num_release++] = read_string(inp, NULL);
+  if (b == 1) return ctx->release[ctx->num_release++] = read_string(inp);
   if (b >= num_builtins + 1) {
     end(inp);
     return NULL;
@@ -547,7 +508,8 @@ typedef struct call_state {
   grpc_status_code status;
   grpc_metadata_array recv_initial_metadata;
   grpc_metadata_array recv_trailing_metadata;
-  grpc_slice recv_status_details;
+  char *recv_status_details;
+  size_t recv_status_details_capacity;
   int cancelled;
   int pending_ops;
   grpc_call_details call_details;
@@ -561,11 +523,6 @@ typedef struct call_state {
   size_t cap_to_free;
   void **to_free;
 
-  // array of slices to unref
-  size_t num_slices_to_unref;
-  size_t cap_slices_to_unref;
-  grpc_slice *slices_to_unref;
-
   struct call_state *next;
   struct call_state *prev;
 } call_state;
@@ -601,15 +558,12 @@ static call_state *maybe_delete_call_state(call_state *call) {
   call->next->prev = call->prev;
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&call->recv_initial_metadata);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&call->recv_trailing_metadata);
-  grpc_slice_unref(call->recv_status_details);
+  gpr_free(call->recv_status_details);
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&call->call_details);
 
   for (size_t i = 0; i < call->num_to_free; i++) {
     gpr_free(call->to_free[i]);
   }
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < call->num_slices_to_unref; i++) {
-    grpc_slice_unref(call->slices_to_unref[i]);
-  }
   gpr_free(call->to_free);
 
   gpr_free(call);
@@ -626,17 +580,6 @@ static void add_to_free(call_state *call, void *p) {
   call->to_free[call->num_to_free++] = p;
 }
 
-static grpc_slice *add_to_slice_unref(call_state *call, grpc_slice s) {
-  if (call->num_slices_to_unref == call->cap_slices_to_unref) {
-    call->cap_slices_to_unref = GPR_MAX(8, 2 * call->cap_slices_to_unref);
-    call->slices_to_unref =
-        gpr_realloc(call->slices_to_unref,
-                    sizeof(*call->slices_to_unref) * call->cap_slices_to_unref);
-  }
-  call->slices_to_unref[call->num_to_free++] = s;
-  return &call->slices_to_unref[call->num_to_free - 1];
-}
-
 static void read_metadata(input_stream *inp, size_t *count,
                           grpc_metadata **metadata, call_state *cs) {
   *count = next_byte(inp);
@@ -644,11 +587,12 @@ static void read_metadata(input_stream *inp, size_t *count,
     *metadata = gpr_malloc(*count * sizeof(**metadata));
     memset(*metadata, 0, *count * sizeof(**metadata));
     for (size_t i = 0; i < *count; i++) {
-      (*metadata)[i].key = read_string_like_slice(inp);
-      (*metadata)[i].value = read_buffer_like_slice(inp);
+      (*metadata)[i].key = read_string(inp);
+      read_buffer(inp, (char **)&(*metadata)[i].value,
+                  &(*metadata)[i].value_length);
       (*metadata)[i].flags = read_uint32(inp);
-      add_to_slice_unref(cs, (*metadata)[i].key);
-      add_to_slice_unref(cs, (*metadata)[i].value);
+      add_to_free(cs, (void *)(*metadata)[i].key);
+      add_to_free(cs, (void *)(*metadata)[i].value);
     }
   } else {
     *metadata = gpr_malloc(1);
@@ -712,7 +656,7 @@ static validator *make_finished_batch_validator(call_state *cs,
 }
 
 int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
-  grpc_test_only_set_slice_hash_seed(0);
+  grpc_test_only_set_metadata_hash_seed(0);
   if (squelch) gpr_set_log_function(dont_log);
   input_stream inp = {data, data + size};
   grpc_resolve_address = my_resolve_address;
@@ -798,7 +742,7 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
       // create an insecure channel
       case 2: {
         if (g_channel == NULL) {
-          char *target = read_string(&inp, NULL);
+          char *target = read_string(&inp);
           char *target_uri;
           gpr_asprintf(&target_uri, "dns:%s", target);
           grpc_channel_args *args = read_args(&inp);
@@ -927,8 +871,8 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
           parent_call = g_active_call->call;
         }
         uint32_t propagation_mask = read_uint32(&inp);
-        grpc_slice method = read_string_like_slice(&inp);
-        grpc_slice host = read_string_like_slice(&inp);
+        char *method = read_string(&inp);
+        char *host = read_string(&inp);
         gpr_timespec deadline =
             gpr_time_add(gpr_now(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME),
                          gpr_time_from_micros(read_uint32(&inp), GPR_TIMESPAN));
@@ -937,12 +881,12 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
           call_state *cs = new_call(g_active_call, CLIENT);
           cs->call =
               grpc_channel_create_call(g_channel, parent_call, propagation_mask,
-                                       cq, method, &host, deadline, NULL);
+                                       cq, method, host, deadline, NULL);
         } else {
           end(&inp);
         }
-        grpc_slice_unref(method);
-        grpc_slice_unref(host);
+        gpr_free(method);
+        gpr_free(host);
         break;
       }
       // switch the 'current' call
@@ -1007,8 +951,7 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
                   g_active_call);
               op->data.send_status_from_server.status = next_byte(&inp);
               op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details =
-                  add_to_slice_unref(g_active_call,
-                                     read_buffer_like_slice(&inp));
+                  read_string(&inp);
               break;
             case GRPC_OP_RECV_INITIAL_METADATA:
               op->op = GRPC_OP_RECV_INITIAL_METADATA;
@@ -1028,6 +971,8 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
                   &g_active_call->recv_trailing_metadata;
               op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details =
                   &g_active_call->recv_status_details;
+              op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity =
+                  &g_active_call->recv_status_details_capacity;
               break;
             case GRPC_OP_RECV_CLOSE_ON_SERVER:
               op->op = GRPC_OP_RECV_CLOSE_ON_SERVER;
@@ -1115,14 +1060,14 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
       }
       // enable a tracer
       case 17: {
-        char *tracer = read_string(&inp, NULL);
+        char *tracer = read_string(&inp);
         grpc_tracer_set_enabled(tracer, 1);
         gpr_free(tracer);
         break;
       }
       // disable a tracer
       case 18: {
-        char *tracer = read_string(&inp, NULL);
+        char *tracer = read_string(&inp);
         grpc_tracer_set_enabled(tracer, 0);
         gpr_free(tracer);
         break;
@@ -1164,7 +1109,7 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
       // create a secure channel
       case 22: {
         if (g_channel == NULL) {
-          char *target = read_string(&inp, NULL);
+          char *target = read_string(&inp);
           char *target_uri;
           gpr_asprintf(&target_uri, "dns:%s", target);
           grpc_channel_args *args = read_args(&inp);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/client_fuzzer.c b/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/client_fuzzer.c
index 1fdc86356c..26b520885b 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/client_fuzzer.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/client_fuzzer.c
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@
 #include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
 
 #include "src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.h"
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/channel.h"
 #include "test/core/util/memory_counters.h"
 #include "test/core/util/mock_endpoint.h"
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@ static void *tag(int n) { return (void *)(uintptr_t)n; }
 static void dont_log(gpr_log_func_args *args) {}
 
 int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
-  grpc_test_only_set_slice_hash_seed(0);
+  grpc_test_only_set_metadata_hash_seed(0);
   struct grpc_memory_counters counters;
   if (squelch) gpr_set_log_function(dont_log);
   if (leak_check) grpc_memory_counters_init();
@@ -72,10 +71,9 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
 
   grpc_channel *channel = grpc_channel_create(
       &exec_ctx, "test-target", NULL, GRPC_CLIENT_DIRECT_CHANNEL, transport);
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("localhost");
-  grpc_call *call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      channel, NULL, 0, cq, grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
-      gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
+  grpc_call *call =
+      grpc_channel_create_call(channel, NULL, 0, cq, "/foo", "localhost",
+                               gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
 
   grpc_metadata_array initial_metadata_recv;
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&initial_metadata_recv);
@@ -83,7 +81,8 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&trailing_metadata_recv);
   grpc_status_code status;
-  grpc_slice details = grpc_empty_slice();
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
   grpc_op ops[6];
   memset(ops, 0, sizeof(ops));
@@ -111,6 +110,7 @@ int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
   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++;
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ done:
   grpc_completion_queue_destroy(cq);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_channel_destroy(channel);
   if (response_payload_recv != NULL) {
     grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload_recv);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/hpack.dictionary b/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/hpack.dictionary
index 81a2419d12..12db0ff024 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/hpack.dictionary
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/hpack.dictionary
@@ -1,62 +1,24 @@
 # hpack fuzzing dictionary
-"\x05:path"
-"\x07:method"
-"\x07:status"
-"\x0A:authority"
-"\x07:scheme"
-"\x02te"
-"\x0Cgrpc-message"
-"\x0Bgrpc-status"
-"\x10grpc-payload-bin"
-"\x0Dgrpc-encoding"
-"\x14grpc-accept-encoding"
-"\x0Ccontent-type"
-"\x1Egrpc-internal-encoding-request"
-"\x0Auser-agent"
-"\x04host"
-"\x08lb-token"
-"\x0Blb-cost-bin"
-"\x0Cgrpc-timeout"
-"\x10grpc-tracing-bin"
-"\x0Egrpc-stats-bin"
-"\x00"
-"\x13grpc.wait_for_ready"
-"\x0Cgrpc.timeout"
-"\x1Egrpc.max_request_message_bytes"
-"\x1Fgrpc.max_response_message_bytes"
-"$/grpc.lb.v1.LoadBalancer/BalanceLoad"
 "\x010"
 "\x011"
 "\x012"
-"\x08identity"
-"\x04gzip"
-"\x07deflate"
-"\x08trailers"
-"\x10application/grpc"
-"\x04POST"
 "\x03200"
-"\x03404"
-"\x04http"
-"\x05https"
-"\x04grpc"
-"\x03GET"
-"\x03PUT"
-"\x01/"
-"\x0B/index.html"
 "\x03204"
 "\x03206"
 "\x03304"
 "\x03400"
+"\x03404"
 "\x03500"
+"\x06accept"
 "\x0Eaccept-charset"
 "\x0Faccept-encoding"
-"\x0Dgzip, deflate"
 "\x0Faccept-language"
 "\x0Daccept-ranges"
-"\x06accept"
 "\x1Baccess-control-allow-origin"
 "\x03age"
 "\x05allow"
+"\x10application/grpc"
+"\x0A:authority"
 "\x0Dauthorization"
 "\x0Dcache-control"
 "\x13content-disposition"
@@ -65,71 +27,81 @@
 "\x0Econtent-length"
 "\x10content-location"
 "\x0Dcontent-range"
+"\x0Ccontent-type"
 "\x06cookie"
 "\x04date"
+"\x07deflate"
+"\x0Cdeflate,gzip"
+"\x00"
 "\x04etag"
 "\x06expect"
 "\x07expires"
 "\x04from"
+"\x03GET"
+"\x04grpc"
+"\x14grpc-accept-encoding"
+"\x0Dgrpc-encoding"
+"\x1Egrpc-internal-encoding-request"
+"\x0Cgrpc-message"
+"\x10grpc-payload-bin"
+"\x0Egrpc-stats-bin"
+"\x0Bgrpc-status"
+"\x0Cgrpc-timeout"
+"\x10grpc-tracing-bin"
+"\x04gzip"
+"\x0Dgzip, deflate"
+"\x04host"
+"\x04http"
+"\x05https"
+"\x08identity"
+"\x10identity,deflate"
+"\x15identity,deflate,gzip"
+"\x0Didentity,gzip"
 "\x08if-match"
 "\x11if-modified-since"
 "\x0Dif-none-match"
 "\x08if-range"
 "\x13if-unmodified-since"
 "\x0Dlast-modified"
+"\x0Blb-cost-bin"
+"\x08lb-token"
 "\x04link"
 "\x08location"
 "\x0Cmax-forwards"
+"\x07:method"
+"\x05:path"
+"\x04POST"
 "\x12proxy-authenticate"
 "\x13proxy-authorization"
+"\x03PUT"
 "\x05range"
 "\x07referer"
 "\x07refresh"
 "\x0Bretry-after"
+"\x07:scheme"
 "\x06server"
 "\x0Aset-cookie"
+"\x01/"
+"\x0B/index.html"
+"\x07:status"
 "\x19strict-transport-security"
+"\x02te"
+"\x08trailers"
 "\x11transfer-encoding"
+"\x0Auser-agent"
 "\x04vary"
 "\x03via"
 "\x10www-authenticate"
-"\x10identity,deflate"
-"\x0Didentity,gzip"
-"\x0Cdeflate,gzip"
-"\x15identity,deflate,gzip"
-"\x00\x0Bgrpc-status\x010"
-"\x00\x0Bgrpc-status\x011"
-"\x00\x0Bgrpc-status\x012"
-"\x00\x0Dgrpc-encoding\x08identity"
-"\x00\x0Dgrpc-encoding\x04gzip"
-"\x00\x0Dgrpc-encoding\x07deflate"
-"\x00\x02te\x08trailers"
-"\x00\x0Ccontent-type\x10application/grpc"
-"\x00\x07:method\x04POST"
-"\x00\x07:status\x03200"
-"\x00\x07:status\x03404"
-"\x00\x07:scheme\x04http"
-"\x00\x07:scheme\x05https"
-"\x00\x07:scheme\x04grpc"
-"\x00\x0A:authority\x00"
-"\x00\x07:method\x03GET"
-"\x00\x07:method\x03PUT"
-"\x00\x05:path\x01/"
-"\x00\x05:path\x0B/index.html"
-"\x00\x07:status\x03204"
-"\x00\x07:status\x03206"
-"\x00\x07:status\x03304"
-"\x00\x07:status\x03400"
-"\x00\x07:status\x03500"
 "\x00\x0Eaccept-charset\x00"
+"\x00\x06accept\x00"
 "\x00\x0Faccept-encoding\x00"
 "\x00\x0Faccept-encoding\x0Dgzip, deflate"
 "\x00\x0Faccept-language\x00"
 "\x00\x0Daccept-ranges\x00"
-"\x00\x06accept\x00"
 "\x00\x1Baccess-control-allow-origin\x00"
 "\x00\x03age\x00"
 "\x00\x05allow\x00"
+"\x00\x0A:authority\x00"
 "\x00\x0Dauthorization\x00"
 "\x00\x0Dcache-control\x00"
 "\x00\x13content-disposition\x00"
@@ -138,6 +110,7 @@
 "\x00\x0Econtent-length\x00"
 "\x00\x10content-location\x00"
 "\x00\x0Dcontent-range\x00"
+"\x00\x0Ccontent-type\x10application/grpc"
 "\x00\x0Ccontent-type\x00"
 "\x00\x06cookie\x00"
 "\x00\x04date\x00"
@@ -145,6 +118,19 @@
 "\x00\x06expect\x00"
 "\x00\x07expires\x00"
 "\x00\x04from\x00"
+"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x07deflate"
+"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x0Cdeflate,gzip"
+"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x04gzip"
+"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x08identity"
+"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x10identity,deflate"
+"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x15identity,deflate,gzip"
+"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x0Didentity,gzip"
+"\x00\x0Dgrpc-encoding\x07deflate"
+"\x00\x0Dgrpc-encoding\x04gzip"
+"\x00\x0Dgrpc-encoding\x08identity"
+"\x00\x0Bgrpc-status\x010"
+"\x00\x0Bgrpc-status\x011"
+"\x00\x0Bgrpc-status\x012"
 "\x00\x04host\x00"
 "\x00\x08if-match\x00"
 "\x00\x11if-modified-since\x00"
@@ -152,29 +138,38 @@
 "\x00\x08if-range\x00"
 "\x00\x13if-unmodified-since\x00"
 "\x00\x0Dlast-modified\x00"
-"\x00\x08lb-token\x00"
 "\x00\x0Blb-cost-bin\x00"
+"\x00\x08lb-token\x00"
 "\x00\x04link\x00"
 "\x00\x08location\x00"
 "\x00\x0Cmax-forwards\x00"
+"\x00\x07:method\x03GET"
+"\x00\x07:method\x04POST"
+"\x00\x07:method\x03PUT"
+"\x00\x05:path\x01/"
+"\x00\x05:path\x0B/index.html"
 "\x00\x12proxy-authenticate\x00"
 "\x00\x13proxy-authorization\x00"
 "\x00\x05range\x00"
 "\x00\x07referer\x00"
 "\x00\x07refresh\x00"
 "\x00\x0Bretry-after\x00"
+"\x00\x07:scheme\x04grpc"
+"\x00\x07:scheme\x04http"
+"\x00\x07:scheme\x05https"
 "\x00\x06server\x00"
 "\x00\x0Aset-cookie\x00"
+"\x00\x07:status\x03200"
+"\x00\x07:status\x03204"
+"\x00\x07:status\x03206"
+"\x00\x07:status\x03304"
+"\x00\x07:status\x03400"
+"\x00\x07:status\x03404"
+"\x00\x07:status\x03500"
 "\x00\x19strict-transport-security\x00"
+"\x00\x02te\x08trailers"
 "\x00\x11transfer-encoding\x00"
 "\x00\x0Auser-agent\x00"
 "\x00\x04vary\x00"
 "\x00\x03via\x00"
 "\x00\x10www-authenticate\x00"
-"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x08identity"
-"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x07deflate"
-"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x10identity,deflate"
-"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x04gzip"
-"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x0Didentity,gzip"
-"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x0Cdeflate,gzip"
-"\x00\x14grpc-accept-encoding\x15identity,deflate,gzip"
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/server_fuzzer.c b/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/server_fuzzer.c
index 186542d4b2..115fb06925 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/server_fuzzer.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fuzzers/server_fuzzer.c
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 #include <grpc/grpc.h>
 
 #include "src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.h"
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/server.h"
 #include "test/core/util/memory_counters.h"
 #include "test/core/util/mock_endpoint.h"
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@ static int detag(void *p) { return (int)(uintptr_t)p; }
 static void dont_log(gpr_log_func_args *args) {}
 
 int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
-  grpc_test_only_set_slice_hash_seed(0);
+  grpc_test_only_set_metadata_hash_seed(0);
   struct grpc_memory_counters counters;
   if (squelch) gpr_set_log_function(dont_log);
   if (leak_check) grpc_memory_counters_init();
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/goaway_server_test.c b/test/core/end2end/goaway_server_test.c
index 65fcb95781..cd68b390bb 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/goaway_server_test.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/goaway_server_test.c
@@ -101,7 +101,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   grpc_metadata_array request_metadata1;
   grpc_call_details request_details1;
   grpc_status_code status1;
-  grpc_slice details1;
+  char *details1 = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity1 = 0;
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&trailing_metadata_recv1);
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&request_metadata1);
   grpc_call_details_init(&request_details1);
@@ -110,7 +111,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   grpc_metadata_array request_metadata2;
   grpc_call_details request_details2;
   grpc_status_code status2;
-  grpc_slice details2;
+  char *details2 = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity2 = 0;
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&trailing_metadata_recv2);
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&request_metadata2);
   grpc_call_details_init(&request_details2);
@@ -135,11 +137,9 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   /* create a channel that picks first amongst the servers */
   grpc_channel *chan = grpc_insecure_channel_create("test", &client_args, NULL);
   /* and an initial call to them */
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("127.0.0.1");
-  grpc_call *call1 =
-      grpc_channel_create_call(chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-                               grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
-                               GRPC_TIMEOUT_SECONDS_TO_DEADLINE(20), NULL);
+  grpc_call *call1 = grpc_channel_create_call(
+      chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq, "/foo", "127.0.0.1",
+      GRPC_TIMEOUT_SECONDS_TO_DEADLINE(20), NULL);
   /* send initial metadata to probe connectivity */
   memset(ops, 0, sizeof(ops));
   op = ops;
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   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++;
@@ -212,10 +213,9 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   cq_verify_empty(cqv);
 
   /* and a new call: should go through to server2 when we start it */
-  grpc_call *call2 =
-      grpc_channel_create_call(chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-                               grpc_slice_from_static_string("/foo"), &host,
-                               GRPC_TIMEOUT_SECONDS_TO_DEADLINE(20), NULL);
+  grpc_call *call2 = grpc_channel_create_call(
+      chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq, "/foo", "127.0.0.1",
+      GRPC_TIMEOUT_SECONDS_TO_DEADLINE(20), NULL);
   /* send initial metadata to probe connectivity */
   memset(ops, 0, sizeof(ops));
   op = ops;
@@ -234,6 +234,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   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++;
@@ -299,11 +300,11 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv1);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata1);
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&request_details1);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details1);
+  gpr_free(details1);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv2);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata2);
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&request_details2);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details2);
+  gpr_free(details2);
 
   cq_verifier_destroy(cqv);
   grpc_completion_queue_destroy(cq);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/invalid_call_argument_test.c b/test/core/end2end/invalid_call_argument_test.c
index a9d0287952..d974d2c8ff 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/invalid_call_argument_test.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/invalid_call_argument_test.c
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ struct test_state {
   grpc_metadata_array initial_metadata_recv;
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
   grpc_status_code status;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details;
+  size_t details_capacity;
   grpc_call *server_call;
   grpc_server *server;
   grpc_metadata_array server_initial_metadata_recv;
@@ -75,17 +76,17 @@ static void prepare_test(int is_client) {
   g_state.deadline = GRPC_TIMEOUT_SECONDS_TO_DEADLINE(2);
   g_state.cq = grpc_completion_queue_create(NULL);
   g_state.cqv = cq_verifier_create(g_state.cq);
-  g_state.details = grpc_empty_slice();
+  g_state.details = NULL;
+  g_state.details_capacity = 0;
   memset(g_state.ops, 0, sizeof(g_state.ops));
 
   if (is_client) {
     /* create a call, channel to a non existant server */
     g_state.chan =
         grpc_insecure_channel_create("nonexistant:54321", NULL, NULL);
-    grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("nonexistant");
     g_state.call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-        g_state.chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, g_state.cq,
-        grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Foo"), &host, g_state.deadline, NULL);
+        g_state.chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, g_state.cq, "/Foo",
+        "nonexistant", g_state.deadline, NULL);
   } else {
     g_state.server = grpc_server_create(NULL, NULL);
     grpc_server_register_completion_queue(g_state.server, g_state.cq, NULL);
@@ -96,10 +97,9 @@ static void prepare_test(int is_client) {
     gpr_join_host_port(&server_hostport, "localhost", port);
     g_state.chan = grpc_insecure_channel_create(server_hostport, NULL, NULL);
     gpr_free(server_hostport);
-    grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("bar");
     g_state.call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-        g_state.chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, g_state.cq,
-        grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Foo"), &host, g_state.deadline, NULL);
+        g_state.chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, g_state.cq, "/Foo", "bar",
+        g_state.deadline, NULL);
     grpc_metadata_array_init(&g_state.server_initial_metadata_recv);
     grpc_call_details_init(&g_state.call_details);
     op = g_state.ops;
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ static void cleanup_test() {
   grpc_call_destroy(g_state.call);
   cq_verifier_destroy(g_state.cqv);
   grpc_channel_destroy(g_state.chan);
-  grpc_slice_unref(g_state.details);
+  gpr_free(g_state.details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&g_state.initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&g_state.trailing_metadata_recv);
 
@@ -289,8 +289,7 @@ static void test_send_server_status_from_client() {
   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++;
@@ -399,6 +398,8 @@ static void test_recv_status_on_client_twice() {
       &g_state.trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &g_state.status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &g_state.details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity =
+      &g_state.details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -413,6 +414,7 @@ static void test_recv_status_on_client_twice() {
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.trailing_metadata = NULL;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = NULL;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = NULL;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity = NULL;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -451,6 +453,8 @@ static void test_recv_status_on_client_from_server() {
       &g_state.trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &g_state.status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &g_state.details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity =
+      &g_state.details_capacity;
   op->flags = 0;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -470,8 +474,7 @@ static void test_send_status_from_server_with_invalid_flags() {
   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 = 1;
   op->reserved = NULL;
   op++;
@@ -492,8 +495,7 @@ static void test_too_many_trailing_metadata() {
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count =
       (size_t)INT_MAX + 1;
   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++;
@@ -513,15 +515,14 @@ static void test_send_server_status_twice() {
   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++;
   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++;
@@ -576,8 +577,9 @@ static void test_invalid_initial_metadata_reserved_key() {
   gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_invalid_initial_metadata_reserved_key");
 
   grpc_metadata metadata;
-  metadata.key = grpc_slice_from_static_string(":start_with_colon");
-  metadata.value = grpc_slice_from_static_string("value");
+  metadata.key = ":start_with_colon";
+  metadata.value = "value";
+  metadata.value_length = 6;
 
   grpc_op *op;
   prepare_test(1);
@@ -597,7 +599,6 @@ static void test_invalid_initial_metadata_reserved_key() {
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   grpc_test_init(argc, argv);
   grpc_init();
-  test_invalid_initial_metadata_reserved_key();
   test_non_null_reserved_on_start_batch();
   test_non_null_reserved_on_op();
   test_send_initial_metadata_more_than_once();
@@ -617,6 +618,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   test_send_server_status_twice();
   test_recv_close_on_server_with_invalid_flags();
   test_recv_close_on_server_twice();
+  test_invalid_initial_metadata_reserved_key();
   grpc_shutdown();
 
   return 0;
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/no_server_test.c b/test/core/end2end/no_server_test.c
index 5c0f7a0f48..03ff70a188 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/no_server_test.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/no_server_test.c
@@ -52,7 +52,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   grpc_op *op;
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
   grpc_status_code status;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details = NULL;
+  size_t details_capacity = 0;
 
   grpc_test_init(argc, argv);
   grpc_init();
@@ -64,10 +65,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 
   /* create a call, channel to a non existant server */
   chan = grpc_insecure_channel_create("nonexistant:54321", NULL, NULL);
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("nonexistant");
   call = grpc_channel_create_call(chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-                                  grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Foo"), &host,
-                                  deadline, NULL);
+                                  "/Foo", "nonexistant", deadline, NULL);
 
   memset(ops, 0, sizeof(ops));
   op = ops;
@@ -80,6 +79,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   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++;
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   grpc_channel_destroy(chan);
   cq_verifier_destroy(cqv);
 
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
 
   grpc_shutdown();
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);
diff --git a/test/core/fling/client.c b/test/core/fling/client.c
index bb44320f34..e717b7f7fe 100644
--- a/test/core/fling/client.c
+++ b/test/core/fling/client.c
@@ -57,7 +57,8 @@ static grpc_metadata_array initial_metadata_recv;
 static grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
 static grpc_byte_buffer *response_payload_recv = NULL;
 static grpc_status_code status;
-static grpc_slice details;
+static char *details = NULL;
+static size_t details_capacity = 0;
 static grpc_op *op;
 
 static void init_ping_pong_request(void) {
@@ -85,16 +86,15 @@ static void init_ping_pong_request(void) {
   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++;
 }
 
 static void step_ping_pong_request(void) {
   GPR_TIMER_BEGIN("ping_pong", 1);
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("localhost");
-  call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Reflector/reflectUnary"), &host,
-      gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
+  call = grpc_channel_create_call(channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
+                                  "/Reflector/reflectUnary", "localhost",
+                                  gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == grpc_call_start_batch(call, ops,
                                                    (size_t)(op - ops),
                                                    (void *)1, NULL));
@@ -109,11 +109,9 @@ static void init_ping_pong_stream(void) {
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&initial_metadata_recv);
 
   grpc_call_error error;
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("localhost");
-  call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Reflector/reflectStream"), &host,
-      gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
+  call = grpc_channel_create_call(channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
+                                  "/Reflector/reflectStream", "localhost",
+                                  gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
   stream_init_ops[0].op = GRPC_OP_SEND_INITIAL_METADATA;
   stream_init_ops[0].data.send_initial_metadata.count = 0;
   stream_init_ops[1].op = GRPC_OP_RECV_INITIAL_METADATA;
diff --git a/test/core/fling/server.c b/test/core/fling/server.c
index d4849e3bbe..fd446f1128 100644
--- a/test/core/fling/server.c
+++ b/test/core/fling/server.c
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ static void handle_unary_method(void) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = NULL;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "";
   op++;
   op->op = GRPC_OP_RECV_CLOSE_ON_SERVER;
   op->data.recv_close_on_server.cancelled = &was_cancelled;
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ static void start_send_status(void) {
   status_op[0].op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   status_op[0].data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
   status_op[0].data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
-  status_op[0].data.send_status_from_server.status_details = NULL;
+  status_op[0].data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "";
   status_op[1].op = GRPC_OP_RECV_CLOSE_ON_SERVER;
   status_op[1].data.recv_close_on_server.cancelled = &was_cancelled;
 
@@ -259,8 +259,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
         switch ((intptr_t)s) {
           case FLING_SERVER_NEW_REQUEST:
             if (call != NULL) {
-              if (0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(call_details.method,
-                                          "/Reflector/reflectStream")) {
+              if (0 ==
+                  strcmp(call_details.method, "/Reflector/reflectStream")) {
                 /* Received streaming call. Send metadata here. */
                 start_read_op(FLING_SERVER_READ_FOR_STREAMING);
                 send_initial_metadata();
diff --git a/test/core/iomgr/ev_epoll_linux_test.c b/test/core/iomgr/ev_epoll_linux_test.c
index 0d06f64795..40ae91bc6d 100644
--- a/test/core/iomgr/ev_epoll_linux_test.c
+++ b/test/core/iomgr/ev_epoll_linux_test.c
@@ -237,7 +237,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
             "strategy. and the current strategy is: '%s'",
             poll_strategy);
   }
-
   {
     grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
     grpc_iomgr_shutdown(&exec_ctx);
diff --git a/test/core/memory_usage/client.c b/test/core/memory_usage/client.c
index 0cab872014..f4432bf572 100644
--- a/test/core/memory_usage/client.c
+++ b/test/core/memory_usage/client.c
@@ -58,7 +58,8 @@ typedef struct {
   grpc_call *call;
   grpc_metadata_array initial_metadata_recv;
   grpc_status_code status;
-  grpc_slice details;
+  char *details;
+  size_t details_capacity;
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
 } fling_call;
 
@@ -84,11 +85,9 @@ static void init_ping_pong_request(int call_idx) {
   op->data.recv_initial_metadata = &calls[call_idx].initial_metadata_recv;
   op++;
 
-  grpc_slice hostname = grpc_slice_from_static_string("localhost");
   calls[call_idx].call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-      grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Reflector/reflectUnary"), &hostname,
-      gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
+      channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq, "/Reflector/reflectUnary",
+      "localhost", gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
 
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == grpc_call_start_batch(calls[call_idx].call,
                                                    metadata_ops,
@@ -108,6 +107,8 @@ static void finish_ping_pong_request(int call_idx) {
       &calls[call_idx].trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &calls[call_idx].status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &calls[call_idx].details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity =
+      &calls[call_idx].details_capacity;
   op++;
 
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == grpc_call_start_batch(calls[call_idx].call,
@@ -117,13 +118,13 @@ static void finish_ping_pong_request(int call_idx) {
   grpc_completion_queue_next(cq, gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&calls[call_idx].initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&calls[call_idx].trailing_metadata_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(calls[call_idx].details);
+  gpr_free(calls[call_idx].details);
   grpc_call_destroy(calls[call_idx].call);
   calls[call_idx].call = NULL;
 }
 
-static struct grpc_memory_counters send_snapshot_request(int call_idx,
-                                                         grpc_slice call_type) {
+static struct grpc_memory_counters send_snapshot_request(
+    int call_idx, const char *call_type) {
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&calls[call_idx].initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_init(&calls[call_idx].trailing_metadata_recv);
 
@@ -148,11 +149,12 @@ static struct grpc_memory_counters send_snapshot_request(int call_idx,
       &calls[call_idx].trailing_metadata_recv;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status = &calls[call_idx].status;
   op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details = &calls[call_idx].details;
+  op->data.recv_status_on_client.status_details_capacity =
+      &calls[call_idx].details_capacity;
   op++;
 
-  grpc_slice hostname = grpc_slice_from_static_string("localhost");
   calls[call_idx].call = grpc_channel_create_call(
-      channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq, call_type, &hostname,
+      channel, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq, call_type, "localhost",
       gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME), NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == grpc_call_start_batch(
                                  calls[call_idx].call, snapshot_ops,
@@ -182,8 +184,9 @@ static struct grpc_memory_counters send_snapshot_request(int call_idx,
   grpc_slice_unref(response);
   grpc_byte_buffer_reader_destroy(&reader);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(response_payload_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(calls[call_idx].details);
-  calls[call_idx].details = grpc_empty_slice();
+  gpr_free(calls[call_idx].details);
+  calls[call_idx].details = NULL;
+  calls[call_idx].details_capacity = 0;
   grpc_call_destroy(calls[call_idx].call);
   calls[call_idx].call = NULL;
 
@@ -216,8 +219,9 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   gpr_cmdline_parse(cl, argc, argv);
   gpr_cmdline_destroy(cl);
 
-  for (size_t k = 0; k < GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(calls); k++) {
-    calls[k].details = grpc_empty_slice();
+  for (int k = 0; k < (int)(sizeof(calls) / sizeof(fling_call)); k++) {
+    calls[k].details = NULL;
+    calls[k].details_capacity = 0;
   }
 
   cq = grpc_completion_queue_create(NULL);
@@ -228,10 +232,10 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 
   int call_idx = 0;
 
-  struct grpc_memory_counters before_server_create = send_snapshot_request(
-      0, grpc_slice_from_static_string("Reflector/GetBeforeSvrCreation"));
-  struct grpc_memory_counters after_server_create = send_snapshot_request(
-      0, grpc_slice_from_static_string("Reflector/GetAfterSvrCreation"));
+  struct grpc_memory_counters before_server_create =
+      send_snapshot_request(0, "Reflector/GetBeforeSvrCreation");
+  struct grpc_memory_counters after_server_create =
+      send_snapshot_request(0, "Reflector/GetAfterSvrCreation");
 
   // warmup period
   for (call_idx = 0; call_idx < warmup_iterations; ++call_idx) {
@@ -239,8 +243,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   }
 
   struct grpc_memory_counters server_benchmark_calls_start =
-      send_snapshot_request(
-          0, grpc_slice_from_static_string("Reflector/SimpleSnapshot"));
+      send_snapshot_request(0, "Reflector/SimpleSnapshot");
 
   struct grpc_memory_counters client_benchmark_calls_start =
       grpc_memory_counters_snapshot();
@@ -253,8 +256,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   struct grpc_memory_counters client_calls_inflight =
       grpc_memory_counters_snapshot();
 
-  struct grpc_memory_counters server_calls_inflight = send_snapshot_request(
-      0, grpc_slice_from_static_string("Reflector/DestroyCalls"));
+  struct grpc_memory_counters server_calls_inflight =
+      send_snapshot_request(0, "Reflector/DestroyCalls");
 
   do {
     event = grpc_completion_queue_next(
@@ -269,8 +272,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
     finish_ping_pong_request(call_idx + 1);
   }
 
-  struct grpc_memory_counters server_calls_end = send_snapshot_request(
-      0, grpc_slice_from_static_string("Reflector/SimpleSnapshot"));
+  struct grpc_memory_counters server_calls_end =
+      send_snapshot_request(0, "Reflector/SimpleSnapshot");
 
   struct grpc_memory_counters client_channel_end =
       grpc_memory_counters_snapshot();
diff --git a/test/core/memory_usage/server.c b/test/core/memory_usage/server.c
index e8774bd976..c0710930b0 100644
--- a/test/core/memory_usage/server.c
+++ b/test/core/memory_usage/server.c
@@ -110,8 +110,7 @@ static void send_status(void *tag) {
   status_op.op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   status_op.data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
   status_op.data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
-  grpc_slice details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("");
-  status_op.data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &details;
+  status_op.data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "";
 
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == grpc_call_start_batch((*(fling_call *)tag).call,
                                                    &status_op, 1, tag, NULL));
@@ -141,8 +140,7 @@ static void send_snapshot(void *tag, struct grpc_memory_counters *snapshot) {
   op->op = GRPC_OP_SEND_STATUS_FROM_SERVER;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.status = GRPC_STATUS_OK;
   op->data.send_status_from_server.trailing_metadata_count = 0;
-  grpc_slice details = grpc_slice_from_static_string("");
-  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = &details;
+  op->data.send_status_from_server.status_details = "";
   op++;
   op->op = GRPC_OP_RECV_CLOSE_ON_SERVER;
   op->data.recv_close_on_server.cancelled = &was_cancelled;
@@ -247,27 +245,25 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
         switch (s->state) {
           case FLING_SERVER_NEW_REQUEST:
             request_call_unary(++next_call_idx);
-            if (0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(s->call_details.method,
-                                        "/Reflector/reflectUnary")) {
+            if (0 ==
+                strcmp(s->call_details.method, "/Reflector/reflectUnary")) {
               s->state = FLING_SERVER_SEND_INIT_METADATA;
               send_initial_metadata_unary(s);
-            } else if (0 ==
-                       grpc_slice_str_cmp(s->call_details.method,
-                                          "Reflector/GetBeforeSvrCreation")) {
+            } else if (0 == strcmp(s->call_details.method,
+                                   "Reflector/GetBeforeSvrCreation")) {
               s->state = FLING_SERVER_SEND_STATUS_SNAPSHOT;
               send_snapshot(s, &before_server_create);
-            } else if (0 ==
-                       grpc_slice_str_cmp(s->call_details.method,
-                                          "Reflector/GetAfterSvrCreation")) {
+            } else if (0 == strcmp(s->call_details.method,
+                                   "Reflector/GetAfterSvrCreation")) {
               s->state = FLING_SERVER_SEND_STATUS_SNAPSHOT;
               send_snapshot(s, &after_server_create);
-            } else if (0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(s->call_details.method,
-                                               "Reflector/SimpleSnapshot")) {
+            } else if (0 == strcmp(s->call_details.method,
+                                   "Reflector/SimpleSnapshot")) {
               s->state = FLING_SERVER_SEND_STATUS_SNAPSHOT;
               current_snapshot = grpc_memory_counters_snapshot();
               send_snapshot(s, &current_snapshot);
-            } else if (0 == grpc_slice_str_cmp(s->call_details.method,
-                                               "Reflector/DestroyCalls")) {
+            } else if (0 == strcmp(s->call_details.method,
+                                   "Reflector/DestroyCalls")) {
               s->state = FLING_SERVER_BATCH_SEND_STATUS_FLING_CALL;
               current_snapshot = grpc_memory_counters_snapshot();
               send_snapshot(s, &current_snapshot);
diff --git a/test/core/security/credentials_test.c b/test/core/security/credentials_test.c
index c0933c64a6..0a79292b5b 100644
--- a/test/core/security/credentials_test.c
+++ b/test/core/security/credentials_test.c
@@ -196,8 +196,8 @@ static void test_add_to_empty_md_store(void) {
   grpc_slice value = grpc_slice_from_copied_string(value_str);
   grpc_credentials_md_store_add(store, key, value);
   GPR_ASSERT(store->num_entries == 1);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(key, store->entries[0].key));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(value, store->entries[0].value));
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_cmp(key, store->entries[0].key) == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_cmp(value, store->entries[0].value) == 0);
   grpc_slice_unref(key);
   grpc_slice_unref(value);
   grpc_credentials_md_store_unref(&exec_ctx, store);
@@ -1065,8 +1065,9 @@ static void plugin_get_metadata_success(void *state,
   *s = PLUGIN_GET_METADATA_CALLED_STATE;
   for (i = 0; i < GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(plugin_md); i++) {
     memset(&md[i], 0, sizeof(grpc_metadata));
-    md[i].key = grpc_slice_from_copied_string(plugin_md[i].key);
-    md[i].value = grpc_slice_from_copied_string(plugin_md[i].value);
+    md[i].key = plugin_md[i].key;
+    md[i].value = plugin_md[i].value;
+    md[i].value_length = strlen(plugin_md[i].value);
   }
   cb(user_data, md, GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(md), GRPC_STATUS_OK, NULL);
 }
diff --git a/test/core/security/print_google_default_creds_token.c b/test/core/security/print_google_default_creds_token.c
index ea136fbdcf..2b74690bc3 100644
--- a/test/core/security/print_google_default_creds_token.c
+++ b/test/core/security/print_google_default_creds_token.c
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ static void on_metadata_response(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *user_data,
   } else {
     char *token;
     GPR_ASSERT(num_md == 1);
-    token = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md_elems[0].value);
+    token = grpc_dump_slice(md_elems[0].value, GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     printf("\nGot token: %s\n\n", token);
     gpr_free(token);
   }
diff --git a/test/core/security/secure_endpoint_test.c b/test/core/security/secure_endpoint_test.c
index bcc50d0bb0..e1d6ff9691 100644
--- a/test/core/security/secure_endpoint_test.c
+++ b/test/core/security/secure_endpoint_test.c
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ static void test_leftover(grpc_endpoint_test_config config, size_t slice_size) {
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   GPR_ASSERT(n == 1);
   GPR_ASSERT(incoming.count == 1);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(s, incoming.slices[0]));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_cmp(s, incoming.slices[0]));
 
   grpc_endpoint_shutdown(&exec_ctx, f.client_ep);
   grpc_endpoint_shutdown(&exec_ctx, f.server_ep);
diff --git a/test/core/security/security_connector_test.c b/test/core/security/security_connector_test.c
index 4219b134f2..8872cbe278 100644
--- a/test/core/security/security_connector_test.c
+++ b/test/core/security/security_connector_test.c
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ static void test_default_ssl_roots(void) {
   gpr_setenv(GRPC_DEFAULT_SSL_ROOTS_FILE_PATH_ENV_VAR, "");
   grpc_set_ssl_roots_override_callback(override_roots_success);
   grpc_slice roots = grpc_get_default_ssl_roots_for_testing();
-  char *roots_contents = grpc_slice_to_c_string(roots);
+  char *roots_contents = grpc_dump_slice(roots, GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
   grpc_slice_unref(roots);
   GPR_ASSERT(strcmp(roots_contents, roots_for_override_api) == 0);
   gpr_free(roots_contents);
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ static void test_default_ssl_roots(void) {
      instead. */
   gpr_setenv(GRPC_DEFAULT_SSL_ROOTS_FILE_PATH_ENV_VAR, roots_env_var_file_path);
   roots = grpc_get_default_ssl_roots_for_testing();
-  roots_contents = grpc_slice_to_c_string(roots);
+  roots_contents = grpc_dump_slice(roots, GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
   grpc_slice_unref(roots);
   GPR_ASSERT(strcmp(roots_contents, roots_for_env_var) == 0);
   gpr_free(roots_contents);
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ static void test_default_ssl_roots(void) {
      the api. */
   gpr_setenv(GRPC_DEFAULT_SSL_ROOTS_FILE_PATH_ENV_VAR, "");
   roots = grpc_get_default_ssl_roots_for_testing();
-  roots_contents = grpc_slice_to_c_string(roots);
+  roots_contents = grpc_dump_slice(roots, GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
   grpc_slice_unref(roots);
   GPR_ASSERT(strcmp(roots_contents, roots_for_override_api) == 0);
   gpr_free(roots_contents);
diff --git a/test/core/slice/percent_encode_fuzzer.c b/test/core/slice/percent_encode_fuzzer.c
index 0d440c5bb2..9698e796b4 100644
--- a/test/core/slice/percent_encode_fuzzer.c
+++ b/test/core/slice/percent_encode_fuzzer.c
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ static void test(const uint8_t *data, size_t size, const uint8_t *dict) {
   grpc_slice permissive_decoded_output =
       grpc_permissive_percent_decode_slice(output);
   // and decoded output must always match the input
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(input, decoded_output));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(input, permissive_decoded_output));
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_cmp(input, decoded_output) == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_cmp(input, permissive_decoded_output) == 0);
   grpc_slice_unref(input);
   grpc_slice_unref(output);
   grpc_slice_unref(decoded_output);
diff --git a/test/core/slice/percent_encoding_test.c b/test/core/slice/percent_encoding_test.c
index 222e695fd4..d71c99f54c 100644
--- a/test/core/slice/percent_encoding_test.c
+++ b/test/core/slice/percent_encoding_test.c
@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ static void test_vector(const char *raw, size_t raw_length, const char *encoded,
   gpr_free(encoded2raw_msg);
   gpr_free(encoded2raw_permissive_msg);
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(raw_slice, encoded2raw_slice));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(raw_slice, encoded2raw_permissive_slice));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(encoded_slice, raw2encoded_slice));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_cmp(raw_slice, encoded2raw_slice));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_cmp(raw_slice, encoded2raw_permissive_slice));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_cmp(encoded_slice, raw2encoded_slice));
 
   grpc_slice_unref(encoded2raw_slice);
   grpc_slice_unref(encoded2raw_permissive_slice);
@@ -123,8 +123,8 @@ static void test_nonconformant_vector(const char *encoded,
           encoded2raw_permissive_msg);
   gpr_free(encoded2raw_permissive_msg);
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(
-      grpc_slice_eq(permissive_unencoded_slice, encoded2raw_permissive_slice));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_cmp(permissive_unencoded_slice,
+                                 encoded2raw_permissive_slice));
 
   grpc_slice_unref(permissive_unencoded_slice);
   grpc_slice_unref(encoded2raw_permissive_slice);
diff --git a/test/core/slice/slice_test.c b/test/core/slice/slice_test.c
index f68a953261..ca44becfd0 100644
--- a/test/core/slice/slice_test.c
+++ b/test/core/slice/slice_test.c
@@ -35,12 +35,8 @@
 
 #include <string.h>
 
-#include <grpc/grpc.h>
 #include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
 #include <grpc/support/log.h>
-
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
-#include "src/core/lib/transport/static_metadata.h"
 #include "test/core/util/test_config.h"
 
 #define LOG_TEST_NAME(x) gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "%s", x);
@@ -65,10 +61,8 @@ static void test_slice_malloc_returns_something_sensible(void) {
     GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_SLICE_LENGTH(slice) == length);
     /* If the slice has a refcount, it must be destroyable. */
     if (slice.refcount) {
-      GPR_ASSERT(slice.refcount->vtable != NULL);
-      GPR_ASSERT(slice.refcount->vtable->ref != NULL);
-      GPR_ASSERT(slice.refcount->vtable->unref != NULL);
-      GPR_ASSERT(slice.refcount->vtable->hash != NULL);
+      GPR_ASSERT(slice.refcount->ref != NULL);
+      GPR_ASSERT(slice.refcount->unref != NULL);
     }
     /* We must be able to write to every byte of the data */
     for (i = 0; i < length; i++) {
@@ -255,55 +249,6 @@ static void test_slice_from_copied_string_works(void) {
   grpc_slice_unref(slice);
 }
 
-static void test_slice_interning(void) {
-  LOG_TEST_NAME("test_slice_interning");
-
-  grpc_init();
-  grpc_slice src1 = grpc_slice_from_copied_string("hello123456789123456789");
-  grpc_slice src2 = grpc_slice_from_copied_string("hello123456789123456789");
-  GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(src1) != GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(src2));
-  grpc_slice interned1 = grpc_slice_intern(src1);
-  grpc_slice interned2 = grpc_slice_intern(src2);
-  GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(interned1) ==
-             GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(interned2));
-  GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(interned1) != GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(src1));
-  GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(interned2) != GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(src2));
-  grpc_slice_unref(src1);
-  grpc_slice_unref(src2);
-  grpc_slice_unref(interned1);
-  grpc_slice_unref(interned2);
-  grpc_shutdown();
-}
-
-static void test_static_slice_interning(void) {
-  LOG_TEST_NAME("test_static_slice_interning");
-
-  // grpc_init/grpc_shutdown deliberately omitted: they should not be necessary
-  // to intern a static slice
-
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < GRPC_STATIC_MDSTR_COUNT; i++) {
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_is_equivalent(
-        grpc_static_slice_table[i],
-        grpc_slice_intern(grpc_static_slice_table[i])));
-  }
-}
-
-static void test_static_slice_copy_interning(void) {
-  LOG_TEST_NAME("test_static_slice_copy_interning");
-
-  grpc_init();
-
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < GRPC_STATIC_MDSTR_COUNT; i++) {
-    grpc_slice copy = grpc_slice_dup(grpc_static_slice_table[i]);
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_static_slice_table[i].refcount != copy.refcount);
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_static_slice_table[i].refcount ==
-               grpc_slice_intern(copy).refcount);
-    grpc_slice_unref(copy);
-  }
-
-  grpc_shutdown();
-}
-
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   unsigned length;
   grpc_test_init(argc, argv);
@@ -317,8 +262,5 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
     test_slice_split_tail_works(length);
   }
   test_slice_from_copied_string_works();
-  test_slice_interning();
-  test_static_slice_interning();
-  test_static_slice_copy_interning();
   return 0;
 }
diff --git a/test/core/surface/lame_client_test.c b/test/core/surface/lame_client_test.c
index a2e103073a..b6db6a6b08 100644
--- a/test/core/surface/lame_client_test.c
+++ b/test/core/surface/lame_client_test.c
@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   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;
   char *peer;
 
   grpc_test_init(argc, argv);
@@ -110,9 +111,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 
   cq = grpc_completion_queue_create(NULL);
 
-  grpc_slice host = grpc_slice_from_static_string("anywhere");
   call = grpc_channel_create_call(chan, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, cq,
-                                  grpc_slice_from_static_string("/Foo"), &host,
+                                  "/Foo", "anywhere",
                                   GRPC_TIMEOUT_SECONDS_TO_DEADLINE(100), NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(call);
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(cq);
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   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++;
@@ -163,7 +164,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&trailing_metadata_recv);
-  grpc_slice_unref(details);
+  gpr_free(details);
 
   grpc_shutdown();
 
diff --git a/test/core/transport/chttp2/bin_decoder_test.c b/test/core/transport/chttp2/bin_decoder_test.c
index a8b0a75137..221112ab21 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/chttp2/bin_decoder_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/chttp2/bin_decoder_test.c
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ static int all_ok = 1;
 
 static void expect_slice_eq(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_slice expected,
                             grpc_slice slice, char *debug, int line) {
-  if (!grpc_slice_eq(slice, expected)) {
+  if (0 != grpc_slice_cmp(slice, expected)) {
     char *hs = grpc_dump_slice(slice, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     char *he = grpc_dump_slice(expected, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "FAILED:%d: %s\ngot:  %s\nwant: %s", line, debug, hs,
diff --git a/test/core/transport/chttp2/bin_encoder_test.c b/test/core/transport/chttp2/bin_encoder_test.c
index bd10a1e211..53b55a301e 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/chttp2/bin_encoder_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/chttp2/bin_encoder_test.c
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ static int all_ok = 1;
 
 static void expect_slice_eq(grpc_slice expected, grpc_slice slice, char *debug,
                             int line) {
-  if (!grpc_slice_eq(slice, expected)) {
+  if (0 != grpc_slice_cmp(slice, expected)) {
     char *hs = grpc_dump_slice(slice, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     char *he = grpc_dump_slice(expected, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "FAILED:%d: %s\ngot:  %s\nwant: %s", line, debug, hs,
@@ -84,8 +84,8 @@ static void expect_combined_equiv(const char *s, size_t len, int line) {
   grpc_slice input = grpc_slice_from_copied_buffer(s, len);
   grpc_slice base64 = grpc_chttp2_base64_encode(input);
   grpc_slice expect = grpc_chttp2_huffman_compress(base64);
-  grpc_slice got = grpc_chttp2_base64_encode_and_huffman_compress(input);
-  if (!grpc_slice_eq(expect, got)) {
+  grpc_slice got = grpc_chttp2_base64_encode_and_huffman_compress_impl(input);
+  if (0 != grpc_slice_cmp(expect, got)) {
     char *t = grpc_dump_slice(input, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     char *e = grpc_dump_slice(expect, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     char *g = grpc_dump_slice(got, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ static void expect_combined_equiv(const char *s, size_t len, int line) {
   expect_combined_equiv(x, sizeof(x) - 1, __LINE__)
 
 static void expect_binary_header(const char *hdr, int binary) {
-  if (grpc_is_binary_header(grpc_slice_from_static_string(hdr)) != binary) {
+  if (grpc_is_binary_header(hdr, strlen(hdr)) != binary) {
     gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "FAILED: expected header '%s' to be %s", hdr,
             binary ? "binary" : "not binary");
     all_ok = 0;
diff --git a/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_encoder_test.c b/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_encoder_test.c
index d572d79a7f..1fd2540d65 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_encoder_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_encoder_test.c
@@ -81,9 +81,7 @@ static void verify(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, size_t window_available, int eof,
       e[i - 1].next = &e[i];
       e[i].prev = &e[i - 1];
     }
-    e[i].md = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-        exec_ctx, grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(key)),
-        grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(value)));
+    e[i].md = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(exec_ctx, key, value);
   }
   e[0].prev = NULL;
   e[nheaders - 1].next = NULL;
@@ -91,7 +89,6 @@ static void verify(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, size_t window_available, int eof,
 
   b.list.head = &e[0];
   b.list.tail = &e[nheaders - 1];
-  b.list.count = nheaders;
 
   if (cap_to_delete == num_to_delete) {
     cap_to_delete = GPR_MAX(2 * cap_to_delete, 1000);
@@ -109,7 +106,7 @@ static void verify(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, size_t window_available, int eof,
   grpc_slice_buffer_destroy_internal(exec_ctx, &output);
   grpc_metadata_batch_destroy(exec_ctx, &b);
 
-  if (!grpc_slice_eq(merged, expect)) {
+  if (0 != grpc_slice_cmp(merged, expect)) {
     char *expect_str = grpc_dump_slice(expect, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     char *got_str = grpc_dump_slice(merged, GPR_DUMP_HEX | GPR_DUMP_ASCII);
     gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "mismatched output for %s", expected);
@@ -196,9 +193,7 @@ static void verify_table_size_change_match_elem_size(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                                      const char *key,
                                                      const char *value) {
   grpc_slice_buffer output;
-  grpc_mdelem elem = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      exec_ctx, grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(key)),
-      grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(value)));
+  grpc_mdelem *elem = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(exec_ctx, key, value);
   size_t elem_size = grpc_mdelem_get_size_in_hpack_table(elem);
   size_t initial_table_size = g_compressor.table_size;
   grpc_linked_mdelem *e = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*e));
@@ -209,7 +204,6 @@ static void verify_table_size_change_match_elem_size(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   e[0].next = NULL;
   b.list.head = &e[0];
   b.list.tail = &e[0];
-  b.list.count = 1;
   grpc_slice_buffer_init(&output);
 
   grpc_transport_one_way_stats stats;
@@ -239,7 +233,7 @@ static void run_test(void (*test)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx), const char *name) {
 
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   size_t i;
-  grpc_test_only_set_slice_hash_seed(0);
+  grpc_test_only_set_metadata_hash_seed(0);
   grpc_test_init(argc, argv);
   grpc_init();
   TEST(test_basic_headers);
diff --git a/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_parser_fuzzer_test.c b/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_parser_fuzzer_test.c
index e9ac16df2d..4e00f49b66 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_parser_fuzzer_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_parser_fuzzer_test.c
@@ -39,26 +39,25 @@
 #include <grpc/support/log.h>
 
 #include "src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/hpack_parser.h"
-#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 
 bool squelch = true;
 bool leak_check = true;
 
-static void onhdr(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *ud, grpc_mdelem md) {
+static void onhdr(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *ud, grpc_mdelem *md) {
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(exec_ctx, md);
 }
 static void dont_log(gpr_log_func_args *args) {}
 
 int LLVMFuzzerTestOneInput(const uint8_t *data, size_t size) {
-  grpc_test_only_set_slice_hash_seed(0);
+  grpc_test_only_set_metadata_hash_seed(0);
   if (squelch) gpr_set_log_function(dont_log);
   grpc_init();
   grpc_chttp2_hpack_parser parser;
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
   grpc_chttp2_hpack_parser_init(&exec_ctx, &parser);
   parser.on_header = onhdr;
-  GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(grpc_chttp2_hpack_parser_parse(
-      &exec_ctx, &parser, grpc_slice_from_static_buffer(data, size)));
+  GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(
+      grpc_chttp2_hpack_parser_parse(&exec_ctx, &parser, data, data + size));
   grpc_chttp2_hpack_parser_destroy(&exec_ctx, &parser);
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   grpc_shutdown();
diff --git a/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_parser_test.c b/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_parser_test.c
index 01789c4fb4..8f48849c97 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_parser_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_parser_test.c
@@ -45,15 +45,15 @@
 
 typedef struct { va_list args; } test_checker;
 
-static void onhdr(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *ud, grpc_mdelem md) {
+static void onhdr(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *ud, grpc_mdelem *md) {
   const char *ekey, *evalue;
   test_checker *chk = ud;
   ekey = va_arg(chk->args, char *);
   GPR_ASSERT(ekey);
   evalue = va_arg(chk->args, char *);
   GPR_ASSERT(evalue);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(GRPC_MDKEY(md), ekey) == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(GRPC_MDVALUE(md), evalue) == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(md->key->slice, ekey) == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(md->value->slice, evalue) == 0);
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(exec_ctx, md);
 }
 
@@ -76,8 +76,9 @@ static void test_vector(grpc_chttp2_hpack_parser *parser,
 
   for (i = 0; i < nslices; i++) {
     grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_hpack_parser_parse(&exec_ctx, parser, slices[i]) ==
-               GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
+    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_hpack_parser_parse(
+                   &exec_ctx, parser, GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(slices[i]),
+                   GRPC_SLICE_END_PTR(slices[i])) == GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
     grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   }
 
diff --git a/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_table_test.c b/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_table_test.c
index d2f6d5dc5b..ef2ad66b5c 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_table_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/chttp2/hpack_table_test.c
@@ -46,16 +46,16 @@
 
 #define LOG_TEST(x) gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "%s", x)
 
-static void assert_str(const grpc_chttp2_hptbl *tbl, grpc_slice mdstr,
+static void assert_str(const grpc_chttp2_hptbl *tbl, grpc_mdstr *mdstr,
                        const char *str) {
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(mdstr, str) == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(mdstr->slice, str) == 0);
 }
 
 static void assert_index(const grpc_chttp2_hptbl *tbl, uint32_t idx,
                          const char *key, const char *value) {
-  grpc_mdelem md = grpc_chttp2_hptbl_lookup(tbl, idx);
-  assert_str(tbl, GRPC_MDKEY(md), key);
-  assert_str(tbl, GRPC_MDVALUE(md), value);
+  grpc_mdelem *md = grpc_chttp2_hptbl_lookup(tbl, idx);
+  assert_str(tbl, md->key, key);
+  assert_str(tbl, md->value, value);
 }
 
 static void test_static_lookup(void) {
@@ -143,12 +143,10 @@ static void test_many_additions(void) {
   grpc_chttp2_hptbl_init(&exec_ctx, &tbl);
 
   for (i = 0; i < 100000; i++) {
-    grpc_mdelem elem;
+    grpc_mdelem *elem;
     gpr_asprintf(&key, "K:%d", i);
     gpr_asprintf(&value, "VALUE:%d", i);
-    elem =
-        grpc_mdelem_from_slices(&exec_ctx, grpc_slice_from_copied_string(key),
-                                grpc_slice_from_copied_string(value));
+    elem = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, key, value);
     GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_hptbl_add(&exec_ctx, &tbl, elem) == GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
     GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, elem);
     assert_index(&tbl, 1 + GRPC_CHTTP2_LAST_STATIC_ENTRY, key, value);
@@ -171,9 +169,7 @@ static grpc_chttp2_hptbl_find_result find_simple(grpc_chttp2_hptbl *tbl,
                                                  const char *key,
                                                  const char *value) {
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  grpc_mdelem md =
-      grpc_mdelem_from_slices(&exec_ctx, grpc_slice_from_copied_string(key),
-                              grpc_slice_from_copied_string(value));
+  grpc_mdelem *md = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, key, value);
   grpc_chttp2_hptbl_find_result r = grpc_chttp2_hptbl_find(tbl, md);
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, md);
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
@@ -185,24 +181,19 @@ static void test_find(void) {
   grpc_chttp2_hptbl tbl;
   uint32_t i;
   char buffer[32];
-  grpc_mdelem elem;
+  grpc_mdelem *elem;
   grpc_chttp2_hptbl_find_result r;
 
   LOG_TEST("test_find");
 
   grpc_chttp2_hptbl_init(&exec_ctx, &tbl);
-  elem =
-      grpc_mdelem_from_slices(&exec_ctx, grpc_slice_from_static_string("abc"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("xyz"));
+  elem = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "abc", "xyz");
   GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_hptbl_add(&exec_ctx, &tbl, elem) == GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, elem);
-  elem =
-      grpc_mdelem_from_slices(&exec_ctx, grpc_slice_from_static_string("abc"),
-                              grpc_slice_from_static_string("123"));
+  elem = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "abc", "123");
   GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_hptbl_add(&exec_ctx, &tbl, elem) == GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, elem);
-  elem = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(&exec_ctx, grpc_slice_from_static_string("x"),
-                                 grpc_slice_from_static_string("1"));
+  elem = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "x", "1");
   GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_hptbl_add(&exec_ctx, &tbl, elem) == GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, elem);
 
@@ -253,9 +244,7 @@ static void test_find(void) {
   /* overflow the string buffer, check find still works */
   for (i = 0; i < 10000; i++) {
     int64_ttoa(i, buffer);
-    elem = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(&exec_ctx,
-                                   grpc_slice_from_static_string("test"),
-                                   grpc_slice_from_copied_string(buffer));
+    elem = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "test", buffer);
     GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_hptbl_add(&exec_ctx, &tbl, elem) == GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
     GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, elem);
   }
diff --git a/test/core/transport/status_conversion_test.c b/test/core/transport/chttp2/status_conversion_test.c
index 65f840b1e2..f5a5cd1395 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/status_conversion_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/chttp2/status_conversion_test.c
@@ -31,50 +31,50 @@
  *
  */
 
-#include "src/core/lib/transport/status_conversion.h"
+#include "src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/status_conversion.h"
 #include <grpc/support/log.h>
 #include "test/core/util/test_config.h"
 
 #define GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(a, b) \
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_status_to_http2_error(a) == (b))
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_grpc_status_to_http2_error(a) == (b))
 #define HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(a, deadline, b) \
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_http2_error_to_grpc_status(a, deadline) == (b))
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_http2_error_to_grpc_status(a, deadline) == (b))
 #define GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_STATUS(a, b) \
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_status_to_http2_status(a) == (b))
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_grpc_status_to_http2_status(a) == (b))
 #define HTTP2_STATUS_TO_GRPC_STATUS(a, b) \
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_http2_status_to_grpc_status(a) == (b))
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_chttp2_http2_status_to_grpc_status(a) == (b))
 
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   int i;
 
   grpc_test_init(argc, argv);
 
-  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_OK, GRPC_HTTP2_NO_ERROR);
-  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_CANCELLED, GRPC_HTTP2_CANCEL);
-  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_UNKNOWN, GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_OK, GRPC_CHTTP2_NO_ERROR);
+  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_CANCELLED, GRPC_CHTTP2_CANCEL);
+  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_UNKNOWN, GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_INVALID_ARGUMENT,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
-  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_DEADLINE_EXCEEDED, GRPC_HTTP2_CANCEL);
-  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_NOT_FOUND, GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_DEADLINE_EXCEEDED, GRPC_CHTTP2_CANCEL);
+  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_NOT_FOUND, GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_ALREADY_EXISTS,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_PERMISSION_DENIED,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_INADEQUATE_SECURITY);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_INADEQUATE_SECURITY);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_UNAUTHENTICATED,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_ENHANCE_YOUR_CALM);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_ENHANCE_YOUR_CALM);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_FAILED_PRECONDITION,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
-  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_ABORTED, GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_ABORTED, GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_OUT_OF_RANGE,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_UNIMPLEMENTED,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
-  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL, GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL, GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_UNAVAILABLE,
-                             GRPC_HTTP2_REFUSED_STREAM);
-  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_DATA_LOSS, GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
+                             GRPC_CHTTP2_REFUSED_STREAM);
+  GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_ERROR(GRPC_STATUS_DATA_LOSS, GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR);
 
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_STATUS(GRPC_STATUS_OK, 200);
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_STATUS(GRPC_STATUS_CANCELLED, 200);
@@ -95,59 +95,59 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   GRPC_STATUS_TO_HTTP2_STATUS(GRPC_STATUS_DATA_LOSS, 200);
 
   const gpr_timespec before_deadline = gpr_inf_future(GPR_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_NO_ERROR, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_NO_ERROR, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_FLOW_CONTROL_ERROR, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_FLOW_CONTROL_ERROR, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_SETTINGS_TIMEOUT, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_SETTINGS_TIMEOUT, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_STREAM_CLOSED, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_STREAM_CLOSED, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_FRAME_SIZE_ERROR, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_FRAME_SIZE_ERROR, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_REFUSED_STREAM, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_REFUSED_STREAM, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_UNAVAILABLE);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_CANCEL, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_CANCEL, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_CANCELLED);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_COMPRESSION_ERROR, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_COMPRESSION_ERROR, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_CONNECT_ERROR, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_CONNECT_ERROR, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_ENHANCE_YOUR_CALM, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_ENHANCE_YOUR_CALM, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_INADEQUATE_SECURITY, before_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_INADEQUATE_SECURITY, before_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_PERMISSION_DENIED);
 
   const gpr_timespec after_deadline = gpr_inf_past(GPR_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_NO_ERROR, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_NO_ERROR, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_INTERNAL_ERROR, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_FLOW_CONTROL_ERROR, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_FLOW_CONTROL_ERROR, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_SETTINGS_TIMEOUT, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_SETTINGS_TIMEOUT, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_STREAM_CLOSED, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_STREAM_CLOSED, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_FRAME_SIZE_ERROR, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_FRAME_SIZE_ERROR, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_REFUSED_STREAM, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_REFUSED_STREAM, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_UNAVAILABLE);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_CANCEL, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_CANCEL, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_DEADLINE_EXCEEDED);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_COMPRESSION_ERROR, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_COMPRESSION_ERROR, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_CONNECT_ERROR, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_CONNECT_ERROR, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_ENHANCE_YOUR_CALM, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_ENHANCE_YOUR_CALM, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED);
-  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_HTTP2_INADEQUATE_SECURITY, after_deadline,
+  HTTP2_ERROR_TO_GRPC_STATUS(GRPC_CHTTP2_INADEQUATE_SECURITY, after_deadline,
                              GRPC_STATUS_PERMISSION_DENIED);
 
   HTTP2_STATUS_TO_GRPC_STATUS(200, GRPC_STATUS_OK);
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 
   /* check all status values can be converted */
   for (i = 0; i <= 999; i++) {
-    grpc_http2_status_to_grpc_status(i);
+    grpc_chttp2_http2_status_to_grpc_status(i);
   }
 
   return 0;
diff --git a/test/core/transport/chttp2/varint_test.c b/test/core/transport/chttp2/varint_test.c
index f12c340a4b..e29be4b056 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/chttp2/varint_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/chttp2/varint_test.c
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ static void test_varint(uint32_t value, uint32_t prefix_bits, uint8_t prefix_or,
   slice = grpc_slice_malloc(nbytes);
   GRPC_CHTTP2_WRITE_VARINT(value, prefix_bits, prefix_or,
                            GRPC_SLICE_START_PTR(slice), nbytes);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(expect, slice));
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_cmp(expect, slice) == 0);
   grpc_slice_unref(expect);
   grpc_slice_unref(slice);
 }
diff --git a/test/core/transport/metadata_test.c b/test/core/transport/metadata_test.c
index 92e58f2375..3625043d07 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/metadata_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/metadata_test.c
@@ -47,51 +47,55 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/static_metadata.h"
 #include "test/core/util/test_config.h"
 
+#define LOG_TEST(x) gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "%s", x)
+
 /* a large number */
 #define MANY 10000
 
 static void test_no_op(void) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_no_op");
+  LOG_TEST("test_no_op");
   grpc_init();
   grpc_shutdown();
 }
 
-static grpc_slice maybe_intern(grpc_slice in, bool intern) {
-  grpc_slice out = intern ? grpc_slice_intern(in) : grpc_slice_ref(in);
-  grpc_slice_unref(in);
-  return out;
-}
+static void test_create_string(void) {
+  grpc_mdstr *s1, *s2, *s3;
+
+  LOG_TEST("test_create_string");
 
-static grpc_slice maybe_dup(grpc_slice in, bool dup) {
-  grpc_slice out = dup ? grpc_slice_dup(in) : grpc_slice_ref(in);
-  grpc_slice_unref(in);
-  return out;
+  grpc_init();
+  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
+  s1 = grpc_mdstr_from_string("hello");
+  s2 = grpc_mdstr_from_string("hello");
+  s3 = grpc_mdstr_from_string("very much not hello");
+  GPR_ASSERT(s1 == s2);
+  GPR_ASSERT(s3 != s1);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(s1->slice, "hello") == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(s3->slice, "very much not hello") == 0);
+  GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, s1);
+  GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, s2);
+  GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, s3);
+  grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
+  grpc_shutdown();
 }
 
-static void test_create_metadata(bool intern_keys, bool intern_values) {
-  grpc_mdelem m1, m2, m3;
+static void test_create_metadata(void) {
+  grpc_mdelem *m1, *m2, *m3;
 
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_create_metadata: intern_keys=%d intern_values=%d",
-          intern_keys, intern_values);
+  LOG_TEST("test_create_metadata");
 
   grpc_init();
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  m1 = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      &exec_ctx, maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("b"), intern_values));
-  m2 = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      &exec_ctx, maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("b"), intern_values));
-  m3 = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      &exec_ctx, maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("c"), intern_values));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(m1, m2));
-  GPR_ASSERT(!grpc_mdelem_eq(m3, m1));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_eq(GRPC_MDKEY(m3), GRPC_MDKEY(m1)));
-  GPR_ASSERT(!grpc_slice_eq(GRPC_MDVALUE(m3), GRPC_MDVALUE(m1)));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(GRPC_MDKEY(m1), "a") == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(GRPC_MDVALUE(m1), "b") == 0);
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(GRPC_MDVALUE(m3), "c") == 0);
+  m1 = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", "b");
+  m2 = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", "b");
+  m3 = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", "c");
+  GPR_ASSERT(m1 == m2);
+  GPR_ASSERT(m3 != m1);
+  GPR_ASSERT(m3->key == m1->key);
+  GPR_ASSERT(m3->value != m1->value);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(m1->key->slice, "a") == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(m1->value->slice, "b") == 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_str_cmp(m3->value->slice, "c") == 0);
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, m1);
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, m2);
   GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, m3);
@@ -99,28 +103,19 @@ static void test_create_metadata(bool intern_keys, bool intern_values) {
   grpc_shutdown();
 }
 
-static void test_create_many_ephemeral_metadata(bool intern_keys,
-                                                bool intern_values) {
+static void test_create_many_ephemeral_metadata(void) {
   char buffer[GPR_LTOA_MIN_BUFSIZE];
   long i;
 
-  gpr_log(
-      GPR_INFO,
-      "test_create_many_ephemeral_metadata: intern_keys=%d intern_values=%d",
-      intern_keys, intern_values);
+  LOG_TEST("test_create_many_ephemeral_metadata");
 
   grpc_init();
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
   /* add, and immediately delete a bunch of different elements */
   for (i = 0; i < MANY; i++) {
     gpr_ltoa(i, buffer);
-    GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(
-        &exec_ctx,
-        grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-            &exec_ctx,
-            maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-            maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_copied_string(buffer),
-                         intern_values)));
+    GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx,
+                      grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", buffer));
   }
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   grpc_shutdown();
@@ -129,27 +124,23 @@ static void test_create_many_ephemeral_metadata(bool intern_keys,
 static void test_create_many_persistant_metadata(void) {
   char buffer[GPR_LTOA_MIN_BUFSIZE];
   long i;
-  grpc_mdelem *created = gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_mdelem) * MANY);
-  grpc_mdelem md;
+  grpc_mdelem **created = gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_mdelem *) * MANY);
+  grpc_mdelem *md;
 
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_create_many_persistant_metadata");
+  LOG_TEST("test_create_many_persistant_metadata");
 
   grpc_init();
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
   /* add phase */
   for (i = 0; i < MANY; i++) {
     gpr_ltoa(i, buffer);
-    created[i] = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-        &exec_ctx, grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a")),
-        grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(buffer)));
+    created[i] = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", buffer);
   }
   /* verify phase */
   for (i = 0; i < MANY; i++) {
     gpr_ltoa(i, buffer);
-    md = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-        &exec_ctx, grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a")),
-        grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(buffer)));
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(md, created[i]));
+    md = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", buffer);
+    GPR_ASSERT(md == created[i]);
     GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, md);
   }
   /* cleanup phase */
@@ -162,77 +153,14 @@ static void test_create_many_persistant_metadata(void) {
   gpr_free(created);
 }
 
-static void test_spin_creating_the_same_thing(bool intern_keys,
-                                              bool intern_values) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO,
-          "test_spin_creating_the_same_thing: intern_keys=%d intern_values=%d",
-          intern_keys, intern_values);
-
-  grpc_init();
-  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  grpc_mdelem a, b, c;
-  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(
-      &exec_ctx,
-      a = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-          &exec_ctx,
-          maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-          maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("b"), intern_values)));
-  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(
-      &exec_ctx,
-      b = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-          &exec_ctx,
-          maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-          maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("b"), intern_values)));
-  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(
-      &exec_ctx,
-      c = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-          &exec_ctx,
-          maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-          maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("b"), intern_values)));
-  if (intern_keys && intern_values) {
-    GPR_ASSERT(a.payload == b.payload);
-    GPR_ASSERT(a.payload == c.payload);
-  }
-  grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
-  grpc_shutdown();
-}
-
-static void test_identity_laws(bool intern_keys, bool intern_values) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_identity_laws: intern_keys=%d intern_values=%d",
-          intern_keys, intern_values);
+static void test_spin_creating_the_same_thing(void) {
+  LOG_TEST("test_spin_creating_the_same_thing");
 
   grpc_init();
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-  grpc_mdelem a, b, c;
-  a = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      &exec_ctx, maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("b"), intern_values));
-  b = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      &exec_ctx, maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("b"), intern_values));
-  c = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      &exec_ctx, maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("a"), intern_keys),
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("b"), intern_values));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(a, a));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(b, b));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(c, c));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(a, b));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(b, c));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(a, c));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(b, a));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(c, b));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(c, a));
-  if (intern_keys && intern_values) {
-    GPR_ASSERT(a.payload == b.payload);
-    GPR_ASSERT(a.payload == c.payload);
-  } else {
-    GPR_ASSERT(a.payload != b.payload);
-    GPR_ASSERT(a.payload != c.payload);
-    GPR_ASSERT(b.payload != c.payload);
-  }
-  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, a);
-  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, b);
-  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, c);
+  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", "b"));
+  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", "b"));
+  GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "a", "b"));
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   grpc_shutdown();
 }
@@ -241,25 +169,25 @@ static void test_things_stick_around(void) {
   size_t i, j;
   char *buffer;
   size_t nstrs = 1000;
-  grpc_slice *strs = gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_slice) * nstrs);
+  grpc_mdstr **strs = gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_mdstr *) * nstrs);
   size_t *shuf = gpr_malloc(sizeof(size_t) * nstrs);
-  grpc_slice test;
+  grpc_mdstr *test;
 
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_things_stick_around");
+  LOG_TEST("test_things_stick_around");
 
   grpc_init();
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
 
   for (i = 0; i < nstrs; i++) {
     gpr_asprintf(&buffer, "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx%" PRIuPTR "x", i);
-    strs[i] = grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(buffer));
+    strs[i] = grpc_mdstr_from_string(buffer);
     shuf[i] = i;
     gpr_free(buffer);
   }
 
   for (i = 0; i < nstrs; i++) {
-    grpc_slice_ref_internal(strs[i]);
-    grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, strs[i]);
+    GRPC_MDSTR_REF(strs[i]);
+    GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, strs[i]);
   }
 
   for (i = 0; i < nstrs; i++) {
@@ -271,13 +199,13 @@ static void test_things_stick_around(void) {
   }
 
   for (i = 0; i < nstrs; i++) {
-    grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, strs[shuf[i]]);
+    GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, strs[shuf[i]]);
     for (j = i + 1; j < nstrs; j++) {
       gpr_asprintf(&buffer, "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx%" PRIuPTR "x",
                    shuf[j]);
-      test = grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(buffer));
-      GPR_ASSERT(grpc_slice_is_equivalent(test, strs[shuf[j]]));
-      grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, test);
+      test = grpc_mdstr_from_string(buffer);
+      GPR_ASSERT(test == strs[shuf[j]]);
+      GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, test);
       gpr_free(buffer);
     }
   }
@@ -288,11 +216,57 @@ static void test_things_stick_around(void) {
   gpr_free(shuf);
 }
 
+static void test_slices_work(void) {
+  /* ensure no memory leaks when switching representation from mdstr to slice */
+  grpc_mdstr *str;
+  grpc_slice slice;
+
+  LOG_TEST("test_slices_work");
+
+  grpc_init();
+  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
+
+  str = grpc_mdstr_from_string(
+      "123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890");
+  slice = grpc_slice_ref(str->slice);
+  GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, str);
+  grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, slice);
+
+  str = grpc_mdstr_from_string(
+      "123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890");
+  slice = grpc_slice_ref(str->slice);
+  grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, slice);
+  GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, str);
+
+  grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
+  grpc_shutdown();
+}
+
+static void test_base64_and_huffman_works(void) {
+  grpc_mdstr *str;
+  grpc_slice slice1;
+  grpc_slice slice2;
+
+  LOG_TEST("test_base64_and_huffman_works");
+
+  grpc_init();
+  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
+  str = grpc_mdstr_from_string("abcdefg");
+  slice1 = grpc_mdstr_as_base64_encoded_and_huffman_compressed(str);
+  slice2 = grpc_chttp2_base64_encode_and_huffman_compress(str->slice);
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_slice_cmp(slice1, slice2));
+
+  grpc_slice_unref_internal(&exec_ctx, slice2);
+  GRPC_MDSTR_UNREF(&exec_ctx, str);
+  grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
+  grpc_shutdown();
+}
+
 static void test_user_data_works(void) {
   int *ud1;
   int *ud2;
-  grpc_mdelem md;
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_user_data_works");
+  grpc_mdelem *md;
+  LOG_TEST("test_user_data_works");
 
   grpc_init();
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
@@ -300,9 +274,7 @@ static void test_user_data_works(void) {
   *ud1 = 1;
   ud2 = gpr_malloc(sizeof(int));
   *ud2 = 2;
-  md = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      &exec_ctx, grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("abc")),
-      grpc_slice_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string("123")));
+  md = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(&exec_ctx, "abc", "123");
   grpc_mdelem_set_user_data(md, gpr_free, ud1);
   grpc_mdelem_set_user_data(md, gpr_free, ud2);
   GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_get_user_data(md, gpr_free) == ud1);
@@ -312,11 +284,8 @@ static void test_user_data_works(void) {
 }
 
 static void verify_ascii_header_size(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *key,
-                                     const char *value, bool intern_key,
-                                     bool intern_value) {
-  grpc_mdelem elem = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      exec_ctx, maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(key), intern_key),
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(value), intern_value));
+                                     const char *value) {
+  grpc_mdelem *elem = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(exec_ctx, key, value);
   size_t elem_size = grpc_mdelem_get_size_in_hpack_table(elem);
   size_t expected_size = 32 + strlen(key) + strlen(value);
   GPR_ASSERT(expected_size == elem_size);
@@ -324,13 +293,10 @@ static void verify_ascii_header_size(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *key,
 }
 
 static void verify_binary_header_size(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *key,
-                                      const uint8_t *value, size_t value_len,
-                                      bool intern_key, bool intern_value) {
-  grpc_mdelem elem = grpc_mdelem_from_slices(
-      exec_ctx, maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_string(key), intern_key),
-      maybe_intern(grpc_slice_from_static_buffer(value, value_len),
-                   intern_value));
-  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_is_binary_header(GRPC_MDKEY(elem)));
+                                      const uint8_t *value, size_t value_len) {
+  grpc_mdelem *elem =
+      grpc_mdelem_from_string_and_buffer(exec_ctx, key, value, value_len);
+  GPR_ASSERT(grpc_is_binary_header(key, strlen(key)));
   size_t elem_size = grpc_mdelem_get_size_in_hpack_table(elem);
   grpc_slice value_slice =
       grpc_slice_from_copied_buffer((const char *)value, value_len);
@@ -343,9 +309,8 @@ static void verify_binary_header_size(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *key,
 }
 
 #define BUFFER_SIZE 64
-static void test_mdelem_sizes_in_hpack(bool intern_key, bool intern_value) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_mdelem_size: intern_key=%d intern_value=%d",
-          intern_key, intern_value);
+static void test_mdelem_sizes_in_hpack(void) {
+  LOG_TEST("test_mdelem_size");
   grpc_init();
   grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
 
@@ -354,44 +319,19 @@ static void test_mdelem_sizes_in_hpack(bool intern_key, bool intern_value) {
     binary_value[i] = i;
   }
 
-  verify_ascii_header_size(&exec_ctx, "hello", "world", intern_key,
-                           intern_value);
+  verify_ascii_header_size(&exec_ctx, "hello", "world");
   verify_ascii_header_size(&exec_ctx, "hello",
-                           "worldxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx", intern_key,
-                           intern_value);
-  verify_ascii_header_size(&exec_ctx, ":scheme", "http", intern_key,
-                           intern_value);
+                           "worldxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx");
+  verify_ascii_header_size(&exec_ctx, ":scheme", "http");
 
   for (uint8_t i = 0; i < BUFFER_SIZE; i++) {
-    verify_binary_header_size(&exec_ctx, "hello-bin", binary_value, i,
-                              intern_key, intern_value);
+    verify_binary_header_size(&exec_ctx, "hello-bin", binary_value, i);
   }
 
-  grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
-  grpc_shutdown();
-}
-
-static void test_copied_static_metadata(bool dup_key, bool dup_value) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "test_static_metadata: dup_key=%d dup_value=%d", dup_key,
-          dup_value);
-  grpc_init();
-  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
-
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < GRPC_STATIC_MDELEM_COUNT; i++) {
-    grpc_mdelem p = GRPC_MAKE_MDELEM(&grpc_static_mdelem_table[i],
-                                     GRPC_MDELEM_STORAGE_STATIC);
-    grpc_mdelem q =
-        grpc_mdelem_from_slices(&exec_ctx, maybe_dup(GRPC_MDKEY(p), dup_key),
-                                maybe_dup(GRPC_MDVALUE(p), dup_value));
-    GPR_ASSERT(grpc_mdelem_eq(p, q));
-    if (dup_key || dup_value) {
-      GPR_ASSERT(p.payload != q.payload);
-    } else {
-      GPR_ASSERT(p.payload == q.payload);
-    }
-    GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, p);
-    GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(&exec_ctx, q);
-  }
+  const char *static_metadata = grpc_static_metadata_strings[0];
+  memcpy(binary_value, static_metadata, strlen(static_metadata));
+  verify_binary_header_size(&exec_ctx, "hello-bin", binary_value,
+                            strlen(static_metadata));
 
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   grpc_shutdown();
@@ -400,18 +340,15 @@ static void test_copied_static_metadata(bool dup_key, bool dup_value) {
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   grpc_test_init(argc, argv);
   test_no_op();
-  for (int k = 0; k <= 1; k++) {
-    for (int v = 0; v <= 1; v++) {
-      test_create_metadata(k, v);
-      test_create_many_ephemeral_metadata(k, v);
-      test_identity_laws(k, v);
-      test_spin_creating_the_same_thing(k, v);
-      test_mdelem_sizes_in_hpack(k, v);
-      test_copied_static_metadata(k, v);
-    }
-  }
+  test_create_string();
+  test_create_metadata();
+  test_create_many_ephemeral_metadata();
   test_create_many_persistant_metadata();
+  test_spin_creating_the_same_thing();
   test_things_stick_around();
+  test_slices_work();
+  test_base64_and_huffman_works();
   test_user_data_works();
+  test_mdelem_sizes_in_hpack();
   return 0;
 }
diff --git a/test/core/transport/timeout_encoding_test.c b/test/core/transport/timeout_encoding_test.c
index 10e1804995..b6004af7b4 100644
--- a/test/core/transport/timeout_encoding_test.c
+++ b/test/core/transport/timeout_encoding_test.c
@@ -88,8 +88,7 @@ void test_encoding(void) {
 static void assert_decodes_as(const char *buffer, gpr_timespec expected) {
   gpr_timespec got;
   gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "check decoding '%s'", buffer);
-  GPR_ASSERT(1 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout(
-                      grpc_slice_from_static_string(buffer), &got));
+  GPR_ASSERT(1 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout(buffer, &got));
   GPR_ASSERT(0 == gpr_time_cmp(got, expected));
 }
 
@@ -135,23 +134,18 @@ void test_decoding(void) {
   assert_decodes_as("9999999999S", gpr_inf_future(GPR_TIMESPAN));
 }
 
-static void assert_decoding_fails(const char *s) {
-  gpr_timespec x;
-  GPR_ASSERT(0 ==
-             grpc_http2_decode_timeout(grpc_slice_from_static_string(s), &x));
-}
-
 void test_decoding_fails(void) {
+  gpr_timespec x;
   LOG_TEST("test_decoding_fails");
-  assert_decoding_fails("");
-  assert_decoding_fails(" ");
-  assert_decoding_fails("x");
-  assert_decoding_fails("1");
-  assert_decoding_fails("1x");
-  assert_decoding_fails("1ux");
-  assert_decoding_fails("!");
-  assert_decoding_fails("n1");
-  assert_decoding_fails("-1u");
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout("", &x));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout(" ", &x));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout("x", &x));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout("1", &x));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout("1x", &x));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout("1ux", &x));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout("!", &x));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout("n1", &x));
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == grpc_http2_decode_timeout("-1u", &x));
 }
 
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
diff --git a/test/core/util/port_server_client.c b/test/core/util/port_server_client.c
index 118708d419..4baf63dcd7 100644
--- a/test/core/util/port_server_client.c
+++ b/test/core/util/port_server_client.c
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ static void got_port_from_server(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
     failed = 1;
     const char *msg = grpc_error_string(error);
     gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "failed port pick from server: retrying [%s]", msg);
-
+    grpc_error_free_string(msg);
   } else if (response->status != 200) {
     failed = 1;
     gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "failed port pick from server: status=%d",