diff --git a/config/crd.yml b/config/crd.yml
index 064b49918..b96cfb289 100644
--- a/config/crd.yml
+++ b/config/crd.yml
@@ -17,18 +17,10 @@ spec:
     served: true
     storage: true
   additionalPrinterColumns:
-  - name: Paused
-    type: boolean
-    description: Reconcilation is paused
-    JSONPath: .spec.paused
-  - name: DeployExitCode
-    type: integer
-    description: Exit code from last deploy
-    JSONPath: .Status.Deploy.exitCode
-  - name: DeployUpdatedAt
-    type: date
-    description: Last deploy finish time
-    JSONPath: .Status.Deploy.updatedAt
+  - name: Description
+    type: string
+    description: Friendly description
+    JSONPath: .status.friendlyDescription
   - name: Age
     type: date
     description: |-
diff --git a/pkg/apis/kappctrl/v1alpha1/types.go b/pkg/apis/kappctrl/v1alpha1/types.go
index 89d11629a..0c5f5f89a 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/kappctrl/v1alpha1/types.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/kappctrl/v1alpha1/types.go
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ type AppStatus struct {
 
 	ObservedGeneration int64          `json:"observedGeneration"`
 	Conditions         []AppCondition `json:"conditions"`
+
+	FriendlyDescription string `json:"friendlyDescription"`
 }
 
 type AppStatusFetch struct {
diff --git a/pkg/app/app_reconcile.go b/pkg/app/app_reconcile.go
index 036f9da20..07c186512 100644
--- a/pkg/app/app_reconcile.go
+++ b/pkg/app/app_reconcile.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package app
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/k14s/kapp-controller/pkg/apis/kappctrl/v1alpha1"
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ func (a *App) Reconcile() error {
 	case a.app.Spec.Canceled || a.app.Spec.Paused:
 		a.log.Info("App is canceled or paused, not reconciling")
 		a.markObservedLatest()
+		a.app.Status.FriendlyDescription = "Canceled/paused"
 		return a.updateStatus()
 
 	case a.app.DeletionTimestamp != nil:
@@ -199,6 +201,8 @@ func (a *App) setReconciling() {
 		Type:   v1alpha1.Reconciling,
 		Status: corev1.ConditionTrue,
 	})
+
+	a.app.Status.FriendlyDescription = "Reconciling"
 }
 
 func (a *App) setReconcileCompleted(result exec.CmdRunResult) {
@@ -210,12 +214,14 @@ func (a *App) setReconcileCompleted(result exec.CmdRunResult) {
 			Status:  corev1.ConditionTrue,
 			Message: result.ErrorStr(),
 		})
+		a.app.Status.FriendlyDescription = fmt.Sprintf("Reconcile failed: %s", result.ErrorStr())
 	} else {
 		a.app.Status.Conditions = append(a.app.Status.Conditions, v1alpha1.AppCondition{
 			Type:    v1alpha1.ReconcileSucceeded,
 			Status:  corev1.ConditionTrue,
 			Message: "",
 		})
+		a.app.Status.FriendlyDescription = "Reconcile succeeded"
 	}
 }
 
@@ -226,6 +232,8 @@ func (a *App) setDeleting() {
 		Type:   v1alpha1.Deleting,
 		Status: corev1.ConditionTrue,
 	})
+
+	a.app.Status.FriendlyDescription = "Deleting"
 }
 
 func (a *App) setDeleteCompleted(result exec.CmdRunResult) {
@@ -237,6 +245,7 @@ func (a *App) setDeleteCompleted(result exec.CmdRunResult) {
 			Status:  corev1.ConditionTrue,
 			Message: result.ErrorStr(),
 		})
+		a.app.Status.FriendlyDescription = fmt.Sprintf("Delete failed: %s", result.ErrorStr())
 	} else {
 		// assume resource will be deleted, hence nothing to update
 	}
diff --git a/test/e2e/git_test.go b/test/e2e/git_test.go
index 3a735b821..dbc944fab 100644
--- a/test/e2e/git_test.go
+++ b/test/e2e/git_test.go
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ spec:
 				ExitCode: 0,
 			},
 			ObservedGeneration: 1,
+			FriendlyDescription: "Reconcile succeeded",
 		}
 
 		{
diff --git a/test/e2e/helm_test.go b/test/e2e/helm_test.go
index c451461c0..6e4fef3a5 100644
--- a/test/e2e/helm_test.go
+++ b/test/e2e/helm_test.go
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ stringData:
 				ExitCode: 0,
 			},
 			ObservedGeneration: 1,
+			FriendlyDescription: "Reconcile succeeded",
 		}
 
 		{