diff --git a/wgpu-core/src/device/mod.rs b/wgpu-core/src/device/mod.rs
index f220877ac5..5b24a82a84 100644
--- a/wgpu-core/src/device/mod.rs
+++ b/wgpu-core/src/device/mod.rs
@@ -32,10 +32,22 @@ use std::{
 
 mod life;
 #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
-mod trace;
+pub(crate) mod trace;
 #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
 use trace::{Action, Trace};
 
+pub type Label = *const std::os::raw::c_char;
+#[cfg(feature = "trace")]
+fn own_label(label: &Label) -> String {
+    if label.is_null() {
+        String::new()
+    } else {
+        unsafe { ffi::CStr::from_ptr(*label) }
+            .to_string_lossy()
+            .to_string()
+    }
+}
+
 pub const MAX_COLOR_TARGETS: usize = 4;
 pub const MAX_MIP_LEVELS: usize = 16;
 pub const MAX_VERTEX_BUFFERS: usize = 16;
@@ -200,7 +212,7 @@ pub struct Device<B: hal::Backend> {
     pub(crate) private_features: PrivateFeatures,
     limits: wgt::Limits,
     #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
-    trace: Option<Mutex<Trace>>,
+    pub(crate) trace: Option<Mutex<Trace>>,
 }
 
 impl<B: GfxBackend> Device<B> {
@@ -293,7 +305,7 @@ impl<B: GfxBackend> Device<B> {
     fn create_buffer(
         &self,
         self_id: id::DeviceId,
-        desc: &wgt::BufferDescriptor,
+        desc: &wgt::BufferDescriptor<Label>,
     ) -> resource::Buffer<B> {
         use gfx_memory::{Kind, MemoryUsage};
 
@@ -365,7 +377,7 @@ impl<B: GfxBackend> Device<B> {
     fn create_texture(
         &self,
         self_id: id::DeviceId,
-        desc: &wgt::TextureDescriptor,
+        desc: &wgt::TextureDescriptor<Label>,
     ) -> resource::Texture<B> {
         debug_assert_eq!(self_id.backend(), B::VARIANT);
 
@@ -500,7 +512,7 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
     pub fn device_create_buffer<B: GfxBackend>(
         &self,
         device_id: id::DeviceId,
-        desc: &wgt::BufferDescriptor,
+        desc: &wgt::BufferDescriptor<Label>,
         id_in: Input<G, id::BufferId>,
     ) -> id::BufferId {
         let hub = B::hub(self);
@@ -515,6 +527,15 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
 
         let id = hub.buffers.register_identity(id_in, buffer, &mut token);
         log::info!("Created buffer {:?} with {:?}", id, desc);
+        #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
+        match device.trace {
+            Some(ref trace) => trace.lock().add(trace::Action::CreateBuffer {
+                id,
+                desc: desc.map_label(own_label),
+            }),
+            None => (),
+        };
+
         device
             .trackers
             .lock()
@@ -531,7 +552,7 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
     pub fn device_create_buffer_mapped<B: GfxBackend>(
         &self,
         device_id: id::DeviceId,
-        desc: &wgt::BufferDescriptor,
+        desc: &wgt::BufferDescriptor<Label>,
         id_in: Input<G, id::BufferId>,
     ) -> (id::BufferId, *mut u8) {
         let hub = B::hub(self);
@@ -675,7 +696,7 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
     pub fn device_create_texture<B: GfxBackend>(
         &self,
         device_id: id::DeviceId,
-        desc: &wgt::TextureDescriptor,
+        desc: &wgt::TextureDescriptor<Label>,
         id_in: Input<G, id::TextureId>,
     ) -> id::TextureId {
         let hub = B::hub(self);
@@ -688,6 +709,15 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
         let ref_count = texture.life_guard.add_ref();
 
         let id = hub.textures.register_identity(id_in, texture, &mut token);
+        #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
+        match device.trace {
+            Some(ref trace) => trace.lock().add(trace::Action::CreateTexture {
+                id,
+                desc: desc.map_label(own_label),
+            }),
+            None => (),
+        };
+
         device
             .trackers
             .lock()
@@ -719,7 +749,7 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
     pub fn texture_create_view<B: GfxBackend>(
         &self,
         texture_id: id::TextureId,
-        desc: Option<&wgt::TextureViewDescriptor>,
+        desc: Option<&wgt::TextureViewDescriptor<Label>>,
         id_in: Input<G, id::TextureViewId>,
     ) -> id::TextureViewId {
         let hub = B::hub(self);
@@ -832,7 +862,7 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
     pub fn device_create_sampler<B: GfxBackend>(
         &self,
         device_id: id::DeviceId,
-        desc: &wgt::SamplerDescriptor,
+        desc: &wgt::SamplerDescriptor<Label>,
         id_in: Input<G, id::SamplerId>,
     ) -> id::SamplerId {
         let hub = B::hub(self);
@@ -868,6 +898,15 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
         let ref_count = sampler.life_guard.add_ref();
 
         let id = hub.samplers.register_identity(id_in, sampler, &mut token);
+        #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
+        match device.trace {
+            Some(ref trace) => trace.lock().add(trace::Action::CreateSampler {
+                id,
+                desc: desc.map_label(own_label),
+            }),
+            None => (),
+        };
+
         device
             .trackers
             .lock()
@@ -2068,6 +2107,15 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
                 device.raw.destroy_semaphore(sc.semaphore);
             }
         }
+        #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
+        match device.trace {
+            Some(ref trace) => trace.lock().add(Action::CreateSwapChain {
+                id: sc_id,
+                desc: desc.clone(),
+            }),
+            None => (),
+        };
+
         let swap_chain = swap_chain::SwapChain {
             life_guard: LifeGuard::new(),
             device_id: Stored {
diff --git a/wgpu-core/src/device/trace.rs b/wgpu-core/src/device/trace.rs
index 1a8ad07663..4ee0665f2e 100644
--- a/wgpu-core/src/device/trace.rs
+++ b/wgpu-core/src/device/trace.rs
@@ -2,11 +2,39 @@
  * License, v. 2.0. If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
  * file, You can obtain one at http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/. */
 
+use crate::id;
 use std::io::Write as _;
 
+//TODO: consider a readable Id that doesn't include the backend
+
 #[derive(serde::Serialize)]
 pub enum Action {
-    Init { limits: wgt::Limits },
+    Init {
+        limits: wgt::Limits,
+    },
+    CreateBuffer {
+        id: id::BufferId,
+        desc: wgt::BufferDescriptor<String>,
+    },
+    CreateTexture {
+        id: id::TextureId,
+        desc: wgt::TextureDescriptor<String>,
+    },
+    CreateSampler {
+        id: id::SamplerId,
+        desc: wgt::SamplerDescriptor<String>,
+    },
+    CreateSwapChain {
+        id: id::SwapChainId,
+        desc: wgt::SwapChainDescriptor,
+    },
+    GetSwapChainTexture {
+        object_id: id::SwapChainId,
+        view_id: id::TextureViewId,
+    },
+    PresentSwapChain {
+        object_id: id::SwapChainId,
+    },
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
diff --git a/wgpu-core/src/swap_chain.rs b/wgpu-core/src/swap_chain.rs
index 19e2c7dca3..2d0aabc27d 100644
--- a/wgpu-core/src/swap_chain.rs
+++ b/wgpu-core/src/swap_chain.rs
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@
     In `present()` we return the swap chain image back and wait on the semaphore.
 !*/
 
+#[cfg(feature = "trace")]
+use crate::device::trace::Action;
 use crate::{
     conv,
     hub::{GfxBackend, Global, GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory, Input, Token},
@@ -154,6 +156,15 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
             .texture_views
             .register_identity(view_id_in, view, &mut token);
 
+        #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
+        match device.trace {
+            Some(ref trace) => trace.lock().add(Action::GetSwapChainTexture {
+                object_id: swap_chain_id,
+                view_id: id,
+            }),
+            None => (),
+        };
+
         assert!(
             sc.acquired_view_id.is_none(),
             "Swap chain image is already acquired"
@@ -177,6 +188,14 @@ impl<G: GlobalIdentityHandlerFactory> Global<G> {
         let sc = &mut swap_chain_guard[swap_chain_id];
         let device = &mut device_guard[sc.device_id.value];
 
+        #[cfg(feature = "trace")]
+        match device.trace {
+            Some(ref trace) => trace.lock().add(Action::PresentSwapChain {
+                object_id: swap_chain_id,
+            }),
+            None => (),
+        };
+
         let view_id = sc
             .acquired_view_id
             .take()
diff --git a/wgpu-types/src/lib.rs b/wgpu-types/src/lib.rs
index afb44f6553..5394aa473e 100644
--- a/wgpu-types/src/lib.rs
+++ b/wgpu-types/src/lib.rs
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ pub enum VertexFormat {
 bitflags::bitflags! {
     #[repr(transparent)]
     #[cfg_attr(feature = "trace", derive(Serialize))]
-#[cfg_attr(feature = "replay", derive(Deserialize))]
+    #[cfg_attr(feature = "replay", derive(Deserialize))]
     pub struct BufferUsage: u32 {
         const MAP_READ = 1;
         const MAP_WRITE = 2;
@@ -557,12 +557,24 @@ bitflags::bitflags! {
 
 #[repr(C)]
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
-pub struct BufferDescriptor {
-    pub label: *const std::os::raw::c_char,
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "trace", derive(Serialize))]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "replay", derive(Deserialize))]
+pub struct BufferDescriptor<L> {
+    pub label: L,
     pub size: BufferAddress,
     pub usage: BufferUsage,
 }
 
+impl<L> BufferDescriptor<L> {
+    pub fn map_label<K>(&self, fun: impl FnOnce(&L) -> K) -> BufferDescriptor<K> {
+        BufferDescriptor {
+            label: fun(&self.label),
+            size: self.size,
+            usage: self.usage,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[repr(C)]
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 pub struct CommandEncoderDescriptor {
@@ -767,8 +779,10 @@ pub struct Extent3d {
 
 #[repr(C)]
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
-pub struct TextureDescriptor {
-    pub label: *const std::os::raw::c_char,
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "trace", derive(Serialize))]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "replay", derive(Deserialize))]
+pub struct TextureDescriptor<L> {
+    pub label: L,
     pub size: Extent3d,
     pub mip_level_count: u32,
     pub sample_count: u32,
@@ -777,6 +791,20 @@ pub struct TextureDescriptor {
     pub usage: TextureUsage,
 }
 
+impl<L> TextureDescriptor<L> {
+    pub fn map_label<K>(&self, fun: impl FnOnce(&L) -> K) -> TextureDescriptor<K> {
+        TextureDescriptor {
+            label: fun(&self.label),
+            size: self.size,
+            mip_level_count: self.mip_level_count,
+            sample_count: self.sample_count,
+            dimension: self.dimension,
+            format: self.format,
+            usage: self.usage,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[repr(C)]
 #[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug, Hash, Eq, PartialEq)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "trace", derive(Serialize))]
@@ -797,7 +825,8 @@ impl Default for TextureAspect {
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "trace", derive(Serialize))]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "replay", derive(Deserialize))]
-pub struct TextureViewDescriptor {
+pub struct TextureViewDescriptor<L> {
+    pub label: L,
     pub format: TextureFormat,
     pub dimension: TextureViewDimension,
     pub aspect: TextureAspect,
@@ -807,6 +836,21 @@ pub struct TextureViewDescriptor {
     pub array_layer_count: u32,
 }
 
+impl<L> TextureViewDescriptor<L> {
+    pub fn map_label<K>(&self, fun: impl FnOnce(&L) -> K) -> TextureViewDescriptor<K> {
+        TextureViewDescriptor {
+            label: fun(&self.label),
+            format: self.format,
+            dimension: self.dimension,
+            aspect: self.aspect,
+            base_mip_level: self.base_mip_level,
+            level_count: self.level_count,
+            base_array_layer: self.base_array_layer,
+            array_layer_count: self.array_layer_count,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[repr(C)]
 #[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug, Hash, Eq, PartialEq)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "trace", derive(Serialize))]
@@ -842,7 +886,8 @@ impl Default for FilterMode {
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "trace", derive(Serialize))]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "replay", derive(Deserialize))]
-pub struct SamplerDescriptor {
+pub struct SamplerDescriptor<L> {
+    pub label: L,
     pub address_mode_u: AddressMode,
     pub address_mode_v: AddressMode,
     pub address_mode_w: AddressMode,
@@ -854,6 +899,23 @@ pub struct SamplerDescriptor {
     pub compare: CompareFunction,
 }
 
+impl<L> SamplerDescriptor<L> {
+    pub fn map_label<K>(&self, fun: impl FnOnce(&L) -> K) -> SamplerDescriptor<K> {
+        SamplerDescriptor {
+            label: fun(&self.label),
+            address_mode_u: self.address_mode_u,
+            address_mode_v: self.address_mode_v,
+            address_mode_w: self.address_mode_w,
+            mag_filter: self.mag_filter,
+            min_filter: self.min_filter,
+            mipmap_filter: self.mipmap_filter,
+            lod_min_clamp: self.lod_min_clamp,
+            lod_max_clamp: self.lod_max_clamp,
+            compare: self.compare,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[repr(C)]
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "trace", derive(Serialize))]