diff --git a/cabal-install-solver/cabal-install-solver.cabal b/cabal-install-solver/cabal-install-solver.cabal
index 4547b74fb14..f5a78f4a30c 100644
--- a/cabal-install-solver/cabal-install-solver.cabal
+++ b/cabal-install-solver/cabal-install-solver.cabal
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ library
     Distribution.Solver.Types.SolverId
     Distribution.Solver.Types.SolverPackage
     Distribution.Solver.Types.SourcePackage
+    Distribution.Solver.Types.SummarizedMessage
     Distribution.Solver.Types.Variable
 
   build-depends:
diff --git a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular.hs b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular.hs
index 9111b2d78d0..1db5f4c5454 100644
--- a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular.hs
+++ b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular.hs
@@ -27,8 +27,14 @@ import Distribution.Solver.Modular.ConfiguredConversion
          ( convCP )
 import qualified Distribution.Solver.Modular.ConflictSet as CS
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Dependency
-import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Flag
-import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Index
+    ( Var(..),
+      showVar,
+      ConflictMap,
+      ConflictSet,
+      showConflictSet,
+      RevDepMap )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Flag ( SN(SN), FN(FN) )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Index ( Index )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.IndexConversion
          ( convPIs )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Log
@@ -36,25 +42,36 @@ import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Log
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Package
          ( PN )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.RetryLog
+    ( RetryLog,
+      toProgress,
+      fromProgress,
+      retry,
+      failWith,
+      continueWith )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Solver
          ( SolverConfig(..), PruneAfterFirstSuccess(..), solve )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.DependencyResolver
+    ( DependencyResolver )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.LabeledPackageConstraint
+    ( LabeledPackageConstraint, unlabelPackageConstraint )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackageConstraint
-import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackagePath
+    ( PackageConstraint(..), scopeToPackageName )
+import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackagePath ( QPN )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackagePreferences
+    ( PackagePreferences )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.PkgConfigDb
          ( PkgConfigDb )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.Progress
-import Distribution.Solver.Types.Variable
+    ( Progress(..), foldProgress, SummarizedMessage(ErrorMsg) )
+import Distribution.Solver.Types.Variable ( Variable(..) )
 import Distribution.System
          ( Platform(..) )
 import Distribution.Simple.Setup
          ( BooleanFlag(..) )
 import Distribution.Simple.Utils
-         ( ordNubBy )
-import Distribution.Verbosity
-
+    ( ordNubBy )
+import Distribution.Verbosity ( normal, verbose )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Message ( renderSummarizedMessage )
 
 -- | Ties the two worlds together: classic cabal-install vs. the modular
 -- solver. Performs the necessary translations before and after.
@@ -120,21 +137,21 @@ solve' :: SolverConfig
        -> (PN -> PackagePreferences)
        -> Map PN [LabeledPackageConstraint]
        -> Set PN
-       -> Progress String String (Assignment, RevDepMap)
+       -> Progress SummarizedMessage String (Assignment, RevDepMap)
 solve' sc cinfo idx pkgConfigDB pprefs gcs pns =
     toProgress $ retry (runSolver printFullLog sc) createErrorMsg
   where
     runSolver :: Bool -> SolverConfig
-              -> RetryLog String SolverFailure (Assignment, RevDepMap)
+              -> RetryLog SummarizedMessage SolverFailure (Assignment, RevDepMap)
     runSolver keepLog sc' =
         displayLogMessages keepLog $
         solve sc' cinfo idx pkgConfigDB pprefs gcs pns
 
     createErrorMsg :: SolverFailure
-                   -> RetryLog String String (Assignment, RevDepMap)
+                   -> RetryLog SummarizedMessage String (Assignment, RevDepMap)
     createErrorMsg failure@(ExhaustiveSearch cs cm) =
       if asBool $ minimizeConflictSet sc
-      then continueWith ("Found no solution after exhaustively searching the "
+      then continueWith (mkErrorMsg $ "Found no solution after exhaustively searching the "
                           ++ "dependency tree. Rerunning the dependency solver "
                           ++ "to minimize the conflict set ({"
                           ++ showConflictSet cs ++ "}).") $
@@ -155,7 +172,7 @@ solve' sc cinfo idx pkgConfigDB pprefs gcs pns =
            rerunSolverForErrorMsg cs ++ finalErrorMsg sc failure
     createErrorMsg failure@BackjumpLimitReached     =
         continueWith
-             ("Backjump limit reached. Rerunning dependency solver to generate "
+             (mkErrorMsg $ "Backjump limit reached. Rerunning dependency solver to generate "
               ++ "a final conflict set for the search tree containing the "
               ++ "first backjump.") $
         retry (runSolver printFullLog sc { pruneAfterFirstSuccess = PruneAfterFirstSuccess True }) $
@@ -181,13 +198,16 @@ solve' sc cinfo idx pkgConfigDB pprefs gcs pns =
           -- original goal order.
           goalOrder' = preferGoalsFromConflictSet cs <> fromMaybe mempty (goalOrder sc)
 
-      in unlines ("Could not resolve dependencies:" : messages (toProgress (runSolver True sc')))
+      in unlines ("Could not resolve dependencies:" : map renderSummarizedMessage (messages (toProgress (runSolver True sc'))))
 
     printFullLog = solverVerbosity sc >= verbose
 
     messages :: Progress step fail done -> [step]
     messages = foldProgress (:) (const []) (const [])
 
+mkErrorMsg :: String -> SummarizedMessage
+mkErrorMsg msg = ErrorMsg msg
+
 -- | Try to remove variables from the given conflict set to create a minimal
 -- conflict set.
 --
@@ -219,11 +239,11 @@ solve' sc cinfo idx pkgConfigDB pprefs gcs pns =
 --    solver to add new unnecessary variables to the conflict set. This function
 --    discards the result from any run that adds new variables to the conflict
 --    set, but the end result may not be completely minimized.
-tryToMinimizeConflictSet :: forall a . (SolverConfig -> RetryLog String SolverFailure a)
+tryToMinimizeConflictSet :: forall a . (SolverConfig -> RetryLog SummarizedMessage SolverFailure a)
                          -> SolverConfig
                          -> ConflictSet
                          -> ConflictMap
-                         -> RetryLog String SolverFailure a
+                         -> RetryLog SummarizedMessage SolverFailure a
 tryToMinimizeConflictSet runSolver sc cs cm =
     foldl (\r v -> retryNoSolution r $ tryToRemoveOneVar v)
           (fromProgress $ Fail $ ExhaustiveSearch cs cm)
@@ -249,14 +269,14 @@ tryToMinimizeConflictSet runSolver sc cs cm =
     tryToRemoveOneVar :: Var QPN
                       -> ConflictSet
                       -> ConflictMap
-                      -> RetryLog String SolverFailure a
+                      -> RetryLog SummarizedMessage SolverFailure a
     tryToRemoveOneVar v smallestKnownCS smallestKnownCM
         -- Check whether v is still present, because it may have already been
         -- removed in a previous solver rerun.
       | not (v `CS.member` smallestKnownCS) =
           fromProgress $ Fail $ ExhaustiveSearch smallestKnownCS smallestKnownCM
       | otherwise =
-        continueWith ("Trying to remove variable " ++ varStr ++ " from the "
+        continueWith (mkErrorMsg $ "Trying to remove variable " ++ varStr ++ " from the "
                       ++ "conflict set.") $
         retry (runSolver sc') $ \case
             err@(ExhaustiveSearch cs' _)
@@ -268,14 +288,14 @@ tryToMinimizeConflictSet runSolver sc cs cm =
                                   ++ "conflict set."
                   in -- Use the new conflict set, even if v wasn't removed,
                      -- because other variables may have been removed.
-                     failWith (msg ++ " Continuing with " ++ showCS cs' ++ ".") err
+                     failWith (mkErrorMsg $ msg ++ " Continuing with " ++ showCS cs' ++ ".") err
               | otherwise ->
-                  failWith ("Failed to find a smaller conflict set. The new "
+                  failWith (mkErrorMsg $ "Failed to find a smaller conflict set. The new "
                              ++ "conflict set is not a subset of the previous "
                              ++ "conflict set: " ++ showCS cs') $
                   ExhaustiveSearch smallestKnownCS smallestKnownCM
             BackjumpLimitReached ->
-                failWith "Reached backjump limit while minimizing conflict set."
+                failWith (mkErrorMsg "Reached backjump limit while minimizing conflict set.")
                          BackjumpLimitReached
       where
         varStr = "\"" ++ showVar v ++ "\""
@@ -290,9 +310,9 @@ tryToMinimizeConflictSet runSolver sc cs cm =
 
     -- Like 'retry', except that it only applies the input function when the
     -- backjump limit has not been reached.
-    retryNoSolution :: RetryLog step SolverFailure done
-                    -> (ConflictSet -> ConflictMap -> RetryLog step SolverFailure done)
-                    -> RetryLog step SolverFailure done
+    retryNoSolution :: RetryLog SummarizedMessage SolverFailure done
+                    -> (ConflictSet -> ConflictMap -> RetryLog SummarizedMessage SolverFailure done)
+                    -> RetryLog SummarizedMessage SolverFailure done
     retryNoSolution lg f = retry lg $ \case
         ExhaustiveSearch cs' cm' -> f cs' cm'
         BackjumpLimitReached     -> fromProgress (Fail BackjumpLimitReached)
diff --git a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Log.hs b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Log.hs
index 321a051070b..5bb4b72afe7 100644
--- a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Log.hs
+++ b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Log.hs
@@ -7,10 +7,12 @@ import Prelude ()
 import Distribution.Solver.Compat.Prelude
 
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.Progress
-
-import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Dependency
-import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Message
+    ( Progress(Done, Fail), foldProgress, SummarizedMessage )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.ConflictSet
+    ( ConflictMap, ConflictSet )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.RetryLog
+    ( RetryLog, toProgress, fromProgress )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Message (Message, summarizeMessages)
 
 -- | Information about a dependency solver failure.
 data SolverFailure =
@@ -22,10 +24,10 @@ data SolverFailure =
 -- 'keepLog'), for efficiency.
 displayLogMessages :: Bool
                    -> RetryLog Message SolverFailure a
-                   -> RetryLog String SolverFailure a
+                   -> RetryLog SummarizedMessage SolverFailure a
 displayLogMessages keepLog lg = fromProgress $
     if keepLog
-    then showMessages progress
+    then summarizeMessages progress
     else foldProgress (const id) Fail Done progress
   where
     progress = toProgress lg
diff --git a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Message.hs b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Message.hs
index 2bc28286df0..5421787180d 100644
--- a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Message.hs
+++ b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Message.hs
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 {-# LANGUAGE BangPatterns #-}
-{-# LANGUAGE LambdaCase #-}
 
 module Distribution.Solver.Modular.Message (
     Message(..),
-    showMessages
+    summarizeMessages,
+    renderSummarizedMessage,
   ) where
 
 import qualified Data.List as L
@@ -14,26 +14,51 @@ import qualified Data.Set as S
 import Data.Maybe (catMaybes, mapMaybe, isJust)
 import Prelude hiding (pi)
 
-import Distribution.Pretty (prettyShow) -- from Cabal
+import Distribution.Pretty ( prettyShow ) -- from Cabal
 
 import qualified Distribution.Solver.Modular.ConflictSet as CS
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Dependency
-import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Flag ( QFN, QSN )
-import qualified Distribution.Solver.Modular.Flag as Flag ( showQFN, showQFNBool, showQSN, showQSNBool )
+    ( Var(P),
+      ConflictSet,
+      showConflictSet,
+      QGoalReason,
+      GoalReason(DependencyGoal, UserGoal),
+      Goal(Goal),
+      DependencyReason(DependencyReason),
+      ExposedComponent(..),
+      PkgComponent(PkgComponent),
+      CI(Constrained, Fixed),
+      showDependencyReason )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Flag
+    ( QSN, QFN, showQFNBool, showQSNBool, showQFN, showQSN )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.MessageUtils
-         (showUnsupportedExtension, showUnsupportedLanguage)
+    ( showUnsupportedExtension, showUnsupportedLanguage )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Package
+    ( PI(PI), showI, showPI )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Tree
-         ( FailReason(..), POption(..), ConflictingDep(..) )
+    ( FailReason(..), POption(..), ConflictingDep(..) )
 import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Version
+    ( VR, Ver, showVer, showVR, (.||.) )
+
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.ConstraintSource
+    ( ConstraintSource (..), showConstraintSource )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackagePath
+    ( QPN, Qualified(Q), showQPN )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.Progress
-import Distribution.Solver.Types.ProjectConfigPath (docProjectConfigPathFailReason)
+    ( Progress(..),
+      SummarizedMessage(..),
+      EntryAtLevel(..),
+      Entry(..) )
+import Distribution.Solver.Types.ProjectConfigPath
+    ( docProjectConfigPathFailReason)
 import Distribution.Types.LibraryName
+    ( LibraryName(LSubLibName, LMainLibName) )
 import Distribution.Types.UnqualComponentName
-import Text.PrettyPrint (nest, render)
+    ( unUnqualComponentName )
+
+import Text.PrettyPrint ( nest, render )
 
+-- A data type to hold state information for the modular solver.
 data Message =
     Enter           -- ^ increase indentation level
   | Leave           -- ^ decrease indentation level
@@ -45,51 +70,87 @@ data Message =
   | Success
   | Failure ConflictSet FailReason
 
--- | Transforms the structured message type to actual messages (strings).
+renderSummarizedMessage :: SummarizedMessage -> String
+renderSummarizedMessage (SummarizedMsg i) = displayMessageAtLevel i
+renderSummarizedMessage (ErrorMsg s) = s
+
+displayMessageAtLevel :: EntryAtLevel -> String
+displayMessageAtLevel (AtLevel l msg) =
+  let s = show l
+  in  "[" ++ replicate (3 - length s) '_' ++ s ++ "] " ++ displayMessage msg
+
+displayMessage :: Entry -> String
+displayMessage (EntryPackageGoal qpn gr) = "next goal: " ++ showQPN qpn ++ showGR gr
+displayMessage (EntryRejectF qfn b c fr) = "rejecting: " ++ showQFNBool qfn b ++ showFR c fr
+displayMessage (EntryRejectS qsn b c fr) = "rejecting: " ++ showQSNBool qsn b ++ showFR c fr
+displayMessage (EntrySkipping cs) = "skipping: " ++ showConflicts cs
+displayMessage (EntryTryingF qfn b) = "trying: " ++ showQFNBool qfn b
+displayMessage (EntryTryingP qpn i) = "trying: " ++ showOption qpn i
+displayMessage (EntryTryingNewP qpn i gr) = "trying: " ++ showOption qpn i ++ showGR gr
+displayMessage (EntryTryingS qsn b) = "trying: " ++ showQSNBool qsn b
+displayMessage (EntryUnknownPackage qpn gr) = "unknown package: " ++ showQPN qpn ++ showGR gr
+displayMessage EntrySuccess = "done"
+displayMessage (EntryFailure c fr) = "fail" ++ showFR c fr
+displayMessage (EntrySkipMany qsn b cs) = "skipping: " ++ showOptions qsn b ++ " " ++ showConflicts cs
+-- Instead of displaying `aeson-1.0.2.1, aeson-1.0.2.0, aeson-1.0.1.0, ...`,
+-- the following line aims to display `aeson: 1.0.2.1, 1.0.2.0, 1.0.1.0, ...`.
+--
+displayMessage (EntryRejectMany qpn is c fr) = "rejecting: " ++ showQPNConflictSet qpn is ++ showFR c fr
+
+showQPNConflictSet :: QPN -> [POption] -> String
+showQPNConflictSet qpn popts =
+  case popts of
+    [] -> ""
+    x:xs -> L.intercalate ", " (showOption qpn x : map (\(POption i _) -> showI i) xs)
+
+-- | Transforms the structured message type to actual messages (SummarizedMessage s).
 --
 -- The log contains level numbers, which are useful for any trace that involves
 -- backtracking, because only the level numbers will allow to keep track of
 -- backjumps.
-showMessages :: Progress Message a b -> Progress String a b
-showMessages = go 0
+summarizeMessages :: Progress Message a b -> Progress SummarizedMessage a b
+summarizeMessages = go 0
   where
     -- 'go' increments the level for a recursive call when it encounters
     -- 'TryP', 'TryF', or 'TryS' and decrements the level when it encounters 'Leave'.
-    go :: Int -> Progress Message a b -> Progress String a b
+    go :: Int -> Progress Message a b -> Progress SummarizedMessage a b
     go !_ (Done x)                           = Done x
     go !_ (Fail x)                           = Fail x
+
     -- complex patterns
     go !l (Step (TryP qpn i) (Step Enter (Step (Failure c fr) (Step Leave ms)))) =
         goPReject l qpn [i] c fr ms
+
     go !l (Step (TryP qpn i) (Step Enter (Step (Skip conflicts) (Step Leave ms)))) =
         goPSkip l qpn [i] conflicts ms
+
     go !l (Step (TryF qfn b) (Step Enter (Step (Failure c fr) (Step Leave ms)))) =
-        (atLevel l $ blurbQFNBool Rejecting qfn b ++ showFR c fr) (go l ms)
+        Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryRejectF qfn b c fr)) (go l ms)
+
     go !l (Step (TryS qsn b) (Step Enter (Step (Failure c fr) (Step Leave ms)))) =
-        (atLevel l $ blurbQSNBool Rejecting qsn b ++ showFR c fr) (go l ms)
+        Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryRejectS qsn b c fr)) (go l ms)
+
+    -- "Trying ..." message when a new goal is started
     go !l (Step (Next (Goal (P _  ) gr)) (Step (TryP qpn' i) ms@(Step Enter (Step (Next _) _)))) =
-        (atLevel l $ blurbOption Trying qpn' i ++ showGR gr) (go l ms)
+        Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryTryingNewP qpn' i gr)) (go l ms)
+
     go !l (Step (Next (Goal (P qpn) gr)) (Step (Failure _c UnknownPackage) ms)) =
-        atLevel l ("unknown package: " ++ showQPN qpn ++ showGR gr) $ go l ms
+        Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryUnknownPackage qpn gr)) (go l ms)
+
     -- standard display
     go !l (Step Enter                    ms) = go (l+1) ms
     go !l (Step Leave                    ms) = go (l-1) ms
-    go !l (Step (TryP qpn i)             ms) = (atLevel l $ blurbOption Trying qpn i) (go l ms)
-    go !l (Step (TryF qfn b)             ms) = (atLevel l $ blurbQFNBool Trying qfn b) (go l ms)
-    go !l (Step (TryS qsn b)             ms) = (atLevel l $ blurbQSNBool Trying qsn b) (go l ms)
-    go !l (Step (Next (Goal (P qpn) gr)) ms) = (atLevel l $ showPackageGoal qpn gr) (go l ms)
-    go !l (Step (Next _)                 ms) = go l     ms -- ignore flag goals in the log
-    go !l (Step (Skip conflicts)         ms) =
-        -- 'Skip' should always be handled by 'goPSkip' in the case above.
-        (atLevel l $ blurb Skipping ++ showConflicts conflicts) (go l ms)
-    go !l (Step (Success)                ms) = (atLevel l $ "done") (go l ms)
-    go !l (Step (Failure c fr)           ms) = (atLevel l $ showFailure c fr) (go l ms)
-
-    showPackageGoal :: QPN -> QGoalReason -> String
-    showPackageGoal qpn gr = "next goal: " ++ showQPN qpn ++ showGR gr
-
-    showFailure :: ConflictSet -> FailReason -> String
-    showFailure c fr = "fail" ++ showFR c fr
+
+    go !l (Step (TryP qpn i)             ms) = Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryTryingP qpn i)) (go l ms)
+    go !l (Step (TryF qfn b)             ms) = Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryTryingF qfn b)) (go l ms)
+    go !l (Step (TryS qsn b)             ms) = Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryTryingS qsn b)) (go l ms)
+    go !l (Step (Next (Goal (P qpn) gr)) ms) = Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryPackageGoal qpn gr)) (go l ms)
+    go !l (Step (Next _)                 ms) = go l ms -- ignore flag goals in the log
+
+    -- 'Skip' should always be handled by 'goPSkip' in the case above.
+    go !l (Step (Skip conflicts)         ms) = Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntrySkipping conflicts)) (go l ms)
+    go !l (Step (Success)                ms) = Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ EntrySuccess) (go l ms)
+    go !l (Step (Failure c fr)           ms) = Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryFailure c fr)) (go l ms)
 
     -- special handler for many subsequent package rejections
     goPReject :: Int
@@ -98,14 +159,13 @@ showMessages = go 0
               -> ConflictSet
               -> FailReason
               -> Progress Message a b
-              -> Progress String a b
+              -> Progress SummarizedMessage a b
     goPReject l qpn is c fr (Step (TryP qpn' i) (Step Enter (Step (Failure _ fr') (Step Leave ms))))
       | qpn == qpn' && fr == fr' =
         -- By prepending (i : is) we reverse the order of the instances.
         goPReject l qpn (i : is) c fr ms
     goPReject l qpn is c fr ms =
-        (atLevel l $ blurbOptions Rejecting qpn (reverse is) ++ showFR c fr)
-        (go l ms)
+        Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntryRejectMany qpn is c fr)) (go l ms)
 
     -- Handle many subsequent skipped package instances.
     goPSkip :: Int
@@ -113,25 +173,18 @@ showMessages = go 0
             -> [POption]
             -> Set CS.Conflict
             -> Progress Message a b
-            -> Progress String a b
+            -> Progress SummarizedMessage a b
     goPSkip l qpn is conflicts (Step (TryP qpn' i) (Step Enter (Step (Skip conflicts') (Step Leave ms))))
       | qpn == qpn' && conflicts == conflicts' =
         -- By prepending (i : is) we reverse the order of the instances.
         goPSkip l qpn (i : is) conflicts ms
     goPSkip l qpn is conflicts ms =
-      let msg = blurbOptions Skipping qpn (reverse is) ++ showConflicts conflicts
-      in atLevel l msg (go l ms)
-
-    -- write a message with the current level number
-    atLevel :: Int -> String -> Progress String a b -> Progress String a b
-    atLevel l x xs =
-      let s = show l
-      in  Step ("[" ++ replicate (3 - length s) '_' ++ s ++ "] " ++ x) xs
+       Step (SummarizedMsg $ AtLevel l $ (EntrySkipMany qpn is conflicts)) (go l ms)
 
 -- | Display the set of 'Conflicts' for a skipped package version.
 showConflicts :: Set CS.Conflict -> String
 showConflicts conflicts =
-    " (has the same characteristics that caused the previous version to fail: "
+    "(has the same characteristics that caused the previous version to fail: "
      ++ conflictMsg ++ ")"
   where
     conflictMsg :: String
@@ -213,29 +266,6 @@ data MergedPackageConflict = MergedPackageConflict {
   , versionConflict :: Maybe VR
   }
 
-data ProgressAction =
-    Trying
-  | Skipping
-  | Rejecting
-
-blurb :: ProgressAction -> String
-blurb = \case
-  Trying -> "trying: "
-  Skipping -> "skipping: "
-  Rejecting -> "rejecting: "
-
-blurbQFNBool :: ProgressAction -> QFN -> Bool -> String
-blurbQFNBool a q b = blurb a ++ Flag.showQFNBool q b
-
-blurbQSNBool :: ProgressAction -> QSN -> Bool -> String
-blurbQSNBool a q b = blurb a ++ Flag.showQSNBool q b
-
-blurbOption :: ProgressAction -> QPN -> POption -> String
-blurbOption a q p = blurb a ++ showOption q p
-
-blurbOptions :: ProgressAction -> QPN -> [POption] -> String
-blurbOptions a q ps = blurb a ++ showOptions q ps
-
 showOption :: QPN -> POption -> String
 showOption qpn@(Q _pp pn) (POption i linkedTo) =
   case linkedTo of
@@ -264,11 +294,10 @@ showOptions :: QPN -> [POption] -> String
 showOptions _ [] = "unexpected empty list of versions"
 showOptions q [x] = showOption q x
 showOptions q xs = showQPN q ++ "; " ++ (L.intercalate ", "
-  [if isJust linkedTo
-    then showOption q x
-    else showI i -- Don't show the package, just the version
-  | x@(POption i linkedTo) <- xs
-  ])
+  (L.sort
+    -- Don't show the package, just the version
+    [if isJust linkedTo then showOption q x else showI i |
+       x@(POption i linkedTo) <- xs]))
 
 showGR :: QGoalReason -> String
 showGR UserGoal            = " (user goal)"
@@ -306,8 +335,8 @@ showFR _ (UnsupportedSpecVer ver)         = " (unsupported spec-version " ++ pre
 -- The following are internal failures. They should not occur. In the
 -- interest of not crashing unnecessarily, we still just print an error
 -- message though.
-showFR _ (MalformedFlagChoice qfn)        = " (INTERNAL ERROR: MALFORMED FLAG CHOICE: " ++ Flag.showQFN qfn ++ ")"
-showFR _ (MalformedStanzaChoice qsn)      = " (INTERNAL ERROR: MALFORMED STANZA CHOICE: " ++ Flag.showQSN qsn ++ ")"
+showFR _ (MalformedFlagChoice qfn)        = " (INTERNAL ERROR: MALFORMED FLAG CHOICE: " ++ showQFN qfn ++ ")"
+showFR _ (MalformedStanzaChoice qsn)      = " (INTERNAL ERROR: MALFORMED STANZA CHOICE: " ++ showQSN qsn ++ ")"
 showFR _ EmptyGoalChoice                  = " (INTERNAL ERROR: EMPTY GOAL CHOICE)"
 
 showExposedComponent :: ExposedComponent -> String
@@ -332,7 +361,9 @@ showConflictingDep (ConflictingDep dr (PkgComponent qpn comp) ci) =
                          componentStr ++ showVR vr
 
 -- $setup
+-- >>> import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Package
 -- >>> import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackagePath
+-- >>> import Distribution.Types.PackageName
 -- >>> import Distribution.Types.Version
 -- >>> import Distribution.Types.UnitId
 -- >>> let foobarPN = PackagePath DefaultNamespace QualToplevel
diff --git a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/DependencyResolver.hs b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/DependencyResolver.hs
index 139a6d2b33d..4dc1a265d73 100644
--- a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/DependencyResolver.hs
+++ b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/DependencyResolver.hs
@@ -2,16 +2,20 @@ module Distribution.Solver.Types.DependencyResolver
     ( DependencyResolver
     ) where
 
-import Distribution.Solver.Compat.Prelude
+import Distribution.Solver.Compat.Prelude ( Maybe, String, Set )
 import Prelude ()
 
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.LabeledPackageConstraint
+    ( LabeledPackageConstraint )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.PkgConfigDb ( PkgConfigDb )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackagePreferences
+    ( PackagePreferences )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackageIndex ( PackageIndex )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.Progress
+    ( Progress, SummarizedMessage )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.ResolverPackage
-import Distribution.Solver.Types.SourcePackage
+    ( ResolverPackage )
+import Distribution.Solver.Types.SourcePackage ( SourcePackage )
 
 import Distribution.Simple.PackageIndex ( InstalledPackageIndex )
 import Distribution.Package ( PackageName )
@@ -34,4 +38,4 @@ type DependencyResolver loc = Platform
                            -> (PackageName -> PackagePreferences)
                            -> [LabeledPackageConstraint]
                            -> Set PackageName
-                           -> Progress String String [ResolverPackage loc]
+                           -> Progress SummarizedMessage String [ResolverPackage loc]
diff --git a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/Progress.hs b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/Progress.hs
index a47e651d1c4..4322126c3f1 100644
--- a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/Progress.hs
+++ b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/Progress.hs
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 module Distribution.Solver.Types.Progress
     ( Progress(..)
     , foldProgress
+    , Entry(..)
+    , EntryAtLevel(..)
+    , SummarizedMessage(..)
     ) where
 
 import Prelude ()
 import Distribution.Solver.Compat.Prelude hiding (fail)
 
+import Distribution.Solver.Types.SummarizedMessage
+
 -- | A type to represent the unfolding of an expensive long running
 -- calculation that may fail. We may get intermediate steps before the final
 -- result which may be used to indicate progress and\/or logging messages.
diff --git a/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/SummarizedMessage.hs b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/SummarizedMessage.hs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..88f939e66d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cabal-install-solver/src/Distribution/Solver/Types/SummarizedMessage.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+module Distribution.Solver.Types.SummarizedMessage
+    ( Entry(..)
+    , EntryAtLevel(..)
+    , SummarizedMessage(..)
+    ) where
+
+import Prelude ()
+import Distribution.Solver.Compat.Prelude hiding (fail)
+
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Tree
+    ( FailReason(..), POption(..) )
+import Distribution.Solver.Types.PackagePath ( QPN )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Flag ( QSN, QFN )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Dependency
+    ( ConflictSet, QGoalReason, GoalReason )
+import qualified Distribution.Solver.Modular.ConflictSet as CS
+
+data Entry
+  = EntryPackageGoal QPN QGoalReason
+  | EntryRejectF QFN Bool ConflictSet FailReason
+  | EntryRejectS QSN Bool ConflictSet FailReason
+  | EntrySkipping (Set CS.Conflict)
+  | EntryTryingF QFN Bool
+  | EntryTryingP QPN POption
+  | EntryTryingNewP QPN POption (GoalReason QPN)
+  | EntryTryingS QSN Bool
+  | EntryRejectMany QPN [POption] ConflictSet FailReason
+  | EntrySkipMany QPN [POption] (Set CS.Conflict)
+  | EntryUnknownPackage QPN (GoalReason QPN)
+  | EntrySuccess
+  | EntryFailure ConflictSet FailReason
+
+data EntryAtLevel = AtLevel Int Entry
+
+data SummarizedMessage = SummarizedMsg EntryAtLevel | ErrorMsg String
diff --git a/cabal-install/src/Distribution/Client/Dependency.hs b/cabal-install/src/Distribution/Client/Dependency.hs
index d59bc611c44..f2a476e57fd 100644
--- a/cabal-install/src/Distribution/Client/Dependency.hs
+++ b/cabal-install/src/Distribution/Client/Dependency.hs
@@ -123,6 +123,9 @@ import Distribution.Solver.Modular
   , SolverConfig (..)
   , modularResolver
   )
+import Distribution.Solver.Modular.Message
+  ( renderSummarizedMessage
+  )
 import Distribution.System
   ( Platform
   )
@@ -152,6 +155,8 @@ import Distribution.Solver.Types.ResolverPackage
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.Settings
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.SolverId
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.SolverPackage
+  ( SolverPackage (SolverPackage)
+  )
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.SourcePackage
 import Distribution.Solver.Types.Variable
 
@@ -790,32 +795,33 @@ resolveDependencies
 resolveDependencies platform comp pkgConfigDB params =
   Step (showDepResolverParams finalparams) $
     fmap (validateSolverResult platform comp indGoals) $
-      runSolver
-        ( SolverConfig
-            reordGoals
-            cntConflicts
-            fineGrained
-            minimize
-            indGoals
-            noReinstalls
-            shadowing
-            strFlags
-            onlyConstrained_
-            maxBkjumps
-            enableBj
-            solveExes
-            order
-            verbosity
-            (PruneAfterFirstSuccess False)
-        )
-        platform
-        comp
-        installedPkgIndex
-        sourcePkgIndex
-        pkgConfigDB
-        preferences
-        constraints
-        targets
+      formatProgress $
+        runSolver
+          ( SolverConfig
+              reordGoals
+              cntConflicts
+              fineGrained
+              minimize
+              indGoals
+              noReinstalls
+              shadowing
+              strFlags
+              onlyConstrained_
+              maxBkjumps
+              enableBj
+              solveExes
+              order
+              verbosity
+              (PruneAfterFirstSuccess False)
+          )
+          platform
+          comp
+          installedPkgIndex
+          sourcePkgIndex
+          pkgConfigDB
+          preferences
+          constraints
+          targets
   where
     finalparams@( DepResolverParams
                     targets
@@ -844,6 +850,9 @@ resolveDependencies platform comp pkgConfigDB params =
           then params
           else dontInstallNonReinstallablePackages params
 
+    formatProgress :: Progress SummarizedMessage String a -> Progress String String a
+    formatProgress p = foldProgress (\x xs -> Step (renderSummarizedMessage x) xs) Fail Done p
+
     preferences :: PackageName -> PackagePreferences
     preferences = interpretPackagesPreference targets defpref prefs
 
diff --git a/cabal-install/tests/UnitTests/Distribution/Solver/Modular/DSL/TestCaseUtils.hs b/cabal-install/tests/UnitTests/Distribution/Solver/Modular/DSL/TestCaseUtils.hs
index afd1419d30c..16d18b54ff9 100644
--- a/cabal-install/tests/UnitTests/Distribution/Solver/Modular/DSL/TestCaseUtils.hs
+++ b/cabal-install/tests/UnitTests/Distribution/Solver/Modular/DSL/TestCaseUtils.hs
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ runTest SolverTest{..} = askOption $ \(OptionShowSolverLog showSolverLog) ->
             testEnableAllTests
         printMsg msg = when showSolverLog $ putStrLn msg
         msgs = foldProgress (:) (const []) (const []) progress
-    assertBool ("Unexpected solver log:\n" ++ unlines msgs) $
+    assertBool ("Unexpected error:\n" ++ unlines msgs) $
       resultLogPredicate testResult $
         concatMap lines msgs
     result <- foldProgress ((>>) . printMsg) (return . Left) (return . Right) progress
diff --git a/cabal-install/tests/UnitTests/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Solver.hs b/cabal-install/tests/UnitTests/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Solver.hs
index a1f5eed3c62..585656d35fe 100644
--- a/cabal-install/tests/UnitTests/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Solver.hs
+++ b/cabal-install/tests/UnitTests/Distribution/Solver/Modular/Solver.hs
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ tests =
               solverSuccess [("base", 1), ("ghc-prim", 1), ("integer-gmp", 1), ("integer-simple", 1)]
       , runTest $
           mkTest dbNonupgrade "Refuse to install newer ghc requested by another library" ["A"] $
-            solverFailure (isInfixOf "rejecting: ghc-2.0.0 (constraint from non-reinstallable package requires installed instance)")
+            solverFailure (isInfixOf "rejecting: ghc-1.0.0/installed-1 (conflict: A => ghc==2.0.0)")
       ]
   , testGroup
       "reject-unconstrained"
@@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ tests =
                 , "[__2] unknown package: unknown2 (dependency of B)"
                 , "[__2] fail (backjumping, conflict set: B, unknown2)"
                 , "[__1] fail (backjumping, conflict set: A, B, unknown1, unknown2)"
-                , "[__0] skipping: A; 3.0.0, 2.0.0 (has the same characteristics that "
+                , "[__0] skipping: A; 2.0.0, 3.0.0 (has the same characteristics that "
                     ++ "caused the previous version to fail: depends on 'B')"
                 , "[__0] trying: A-1.0.0"
                 , "[__1] done"
@@ -652,7 +652,7 @@ tests =
                 , "[__1] next goal: B (dependency of A)"
                 , "[__1] rejecting: B-11.0.0 (conflict: A => B==14.0.0)"
                 , "[__1] fail (backjumping, conflict set: A, B)"
-                , "[__0] skipping: A; 3.0.0, 2.0.0 (has the same characteristics that "
+                , "[__0] skipping: A; 2.0.0, 3.0.0 (has the same characteristics that "
                     ++ "caused the previous version to fail: depends on 'B' but excludes "
                     ++ "version 11.0.0)"
                 , "[__0] trying: A-1.0.0"
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ tests =
                 , "[__2] next goal: C (dependency of A)"
                 , "[__2] rejecting: C-2.0.0 (conflict: A => C==1.0.0)"
                 , "[__2] fail (backjumping, conflict set: A, C)"
-                , "[__0] skipping: A; 3.0.0, 2.0.0 (has the same characteristics that caused the "
+                , "[__0] skipping: A; 2.0.0, 3.0.0 (has the same characteristics that caused the "
                     ++ "previous version to fail: depends on 'C' but excludes version 2.0.0)"
                 , "[__0] trying: A-1.0.0"
                 , "[__1] next goal: C (dependency of A)"
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ tests =
                     , Right $ exAv "B" 1 [ExFix "A" 4]
                     ]
                   rejecting = "rejecting: A-3.0.0"
-                  skipping = "skipping: A; 2.0.0, 1.0.0"
+                  skipping = "skipping: A; 1.0.0, 2.0.0"
                in mkTest db "show skipping versions list" ["B"] $
                     solverFailure (\msg -> rejecting `isInfixOf` msg && skipping `isInfixOf` msg)
           , runTest $
@@ -961,7 +961,7 @@ tests =
                     , Right $ exAv "B" 1 [ExFix "A" 4]
                     ]
                   rejecting = "rejecting: A-3.0.0/installed-3.0.0"
-                  skipping = "skipping: A; 2.0.0/installed-2.0.0, 1.0.0/installed-1.0.0"
+                  skipping = "skipping: A; 1.0.0/installed-1.0.0, 2.0.0/installed-2.0.0"
                in mkTest db "show skipping versions list, installed" ["B"] $
                     solverFailure (\msg -> rejecting `isInfixOf` msg && skipping `isInfixOf` msg)
           ]
diff --git a/changelog.d/pr-10854 b/changelog.d/pr-10854
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5209a98c68c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/pr-10854
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+synopsis: Refactor cabal-install solver config log output
+packages: cabal-install-solver
+prs: #10854
+
+This refactoring is mainly cosmetic changes to the modular solver's
+code base. The main change is separating the detection of errors from
+the reporting of errors.